Supreme Court finds Eskinder, et al’s conviction, sentence appealable

The Federal Supreme Court on Thursday gave an order instructing the federal prosecutor to respond to appeals submitted by journalist and blogger Eskinder Nega and three other jailed opposition members—Anualem Aragie, Natnael Mekonnen and Kinfemichael Debebe—who were convicted of and sentenced from 18 years up to life in prison by the Federal High Court on terrorism and treason charges in June.

The court’s presiding judge, Dagne Melaku, told the appellants that reviewing their memorandum of appeal and the lower court’s decision the court found that their appeal had merit.

The appellants are among 24 persons convicted in June under the anti-terrorism legislation. Eskinder eventually was handed an 18- year jail sentence while Andualem was sentenced to life. Natnael and Kinfemichael were each given a 25-year term.

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Eskinder, who is representing himself, rejected the claim that he had links with Ginbot 7, an opposition party operating in exile that was designated as a terrorist group by Parliament.
"I was accused of being a member of Ginbot 7, but the prosecution no evidence to this effect," he told the court.

At the brief court session, Judge Dagne said the court would look into the appellants’ argument that the fact that they were indicted under multiple charges for the same offence is in violation of the law.

The court adjourned the case for December 19.