"Ethiopia convicts 13 in absentia over plot" by Reuters | August 8, 2009
ADDIS ABABA - A US-based university professor is among 13 men convicted in absentia by Ethiopia for plotting to overthrow the government, the state news agency said yesterday.
Berhanu Nega, who is Ethiopian-born with US nationality and teaches economics at Philadelphia’s Bucknell University, was accused of masterminding a plan to topple Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The Ethiopian News Agency said the Federal High Court had issued the guilty verdicts late on Thursday. Government officials did not immediately comment.
The 13 are mostly based in the United States and Britain. Another 32 men in Ethiopia - mainly former and current army personnel, including two generals - have been charged. Three have been bailed and 29 are in custody. The prosecution has presented its case and the defense will begin on Aug. 26, relatives told Reuters.
Addis Ababa says the group had planned to kill senior government ministers and blow up power and telecommunications facilities to provoke protesters who would then march on government buildings and try to topple the government.
Where are we, Iran?
Berhanu has publicly said he wants to overthrow the government but calls the accusations baseless.
We double-cross everybody, don't we, America?
What, we mad at 'em for pulling out of Somalia?
Opposition parties say the charges have been trumped up in order to round up opponents ahead of a national election due next year. Security forces killed about 200 protesters after a poll in 2005 when the opposition disputed the government’s victory.
Rigged elections are nothing new.
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And when was the last time you heard about the Ogaden, huh?
