The trial of 16 defendants held in Kilinto prison continued in the Federal High Court Lideta group hearing on May 7, 2017. The session was scheduled to hear remaining prosecution witnesses in a case that has drawn significant attention due to its political nature.
The prosecution presented its 11th witness, Lieutenant Colonel Yohannes Wolde Melaku, a commander in the Ethiopian Defense Forces. He provided testimony regarding the five-day conflict between government forces and the Amhara Fano militia in the western Gojam zone, specifically in Bure, Finote Selam, Jiga, Amanuel, and Denbecha. He described the substantial human and material losses suffered by his division, particularly in Jiga, during clashes with Fano fighters.
Following the testimony, the court ordered the witness’s statements to be reversed and attached to the official record. The hearing is set to continue on May 8, 2017, with additional witnesses scheduled to testify. The accused urged the court to expedite the process, expressing concerns about procedural delays. In response, the court assured that it would accommodate four witnesses per day, provided that the prosecution remains committed to presenting them.
Meanwhile, Zerashet Zenebem, who was charged under similar terrorism-related allegations, was released from Kilinto prison on the same day. The court session also addressed document-related debates, but due to a missing vote record, the proceedings regarding this matter were postponed to May 14, 2017.
As the trial unfolds, the legal battle continues to raise questions about political imprisonment and due process in Ethiopia. Observers remain watchful of developments in the coming sessions.
Concerns over judicial impartiality intensified following an incident involving activist Seyoum Teshome. According to Meseret Media, during the court session, Hon. Christian Tadele and Hon. Yohannes Iyalew observed Teshome conversing with the President of the High Court, Mrs. Lelise Desalegn, and other officials. Hon. Yohannes expressed his dismay at seeing a person reportedly wanted by authorities comfortably engaging with court leadership. Hon. Christian noted that he initially assumed Seyoum was present to defend his charges, only to later hear that he had been socializing with the High Court President and the prosecution team over tea and coffee within the court compound.
