ETHIOPIA: CUD SECRETARY GENERAL MYSTERIOUSLY

UNCLAS ADDIS ABABA 001022 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF DAS YAMAMOTO AND AF/E E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KJUS PREL ET SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: CUD SECRETARY GENERAL MYSTERIOUSLY MOVED; ADDITIONAL CHARGES PENDING? REF: A. ADDIS ABABA 926 ¶B. ADDIS ABABA 667 ¶C. REDDICK-HUDDLESTON EMAIL OF APRIL 11 ¶D. 2006 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. According to family members and media reports, former secretary-general of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) Muluneh Eyoule was moved from Kaliti prison April 8 to an undisclosed location. While government officials declined to acknowledge the current whereabouts of Muluneh, a high-ranking police official told emboffs that he had been moved to Makelawi, another federal prison located in Addis Ababa, at the request of the prosecutor's office. Family members are currently unable to gain access to Muluneh or learn of his whereabouts. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) In detention since November 2005, family members visited Kaliti prison April 8 to find that Muluneh Eyoule had been moved to another detention facility. Former CUD secretary-general Muluneh had been imprisoned as one of 131 SIPDIS opposition leaders, independent journalists, and civil society representatives charged in December 2005 with capital crimes for alleged anti-state activities and faces five criminal charges punishable by life imprisonment or death. Prison officials reportedly told Muluneh's family that he had been transferred to Kerchele prison, which is adjacent to the African Union in Addis Ababa. Muluneh's brother, Mulugeta Eyoule, told us he appeared at Kerchele April 9 only to be told that Muluneh's whereabouts were unknown. ¶3. (SBU) A high-ranking police official told emboffs April 12 that Muluneh had been temporarily detained at Kerchele prison, but is now being held in MakelawQederal prison located in central Addis Ababa. According to this official, Muluneh's move from Kaliti to Makelawi was initiated by the prosecutor's office which is preparing to levy additional charges against the former CUD secretary-general. ¶4. (SBU) COMMENT: The motivation behind Muluneh's prison transfer is unclear at this time though some diaspora websites note that Muluneh had been known to challenge Kaliti prison guards/officials. Post will continue to verify Muluneh's location and send updates as information becomes available. END COMMENT. HUDDLESTON