ETHIOPIA: CUD LEADERS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON;

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 ADDIS ABABA 002245 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E AND DRL: S.JOSEPH LONDON, PARIS, ROME FOR AFRICA WATCHER CJTF-HOA AND USCENTCOM FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/16/2017 TAGS: PHUM KJUS KDEM PGOV ET SUBJECT: ETHIOPIA: CUD LEADERS SENTENCED TO LIFE IN PRISON; CLEMENCY ANNOUNCEMENT IMMINENT REF: ADDIS ABABA 02177 ADDIS ABAB 00002245 001.2 OF 003 Classified By: ACTING POL-ECON COUNSELOR: SEAN CELY. REASON 1.4 (d). ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: On July 16, in the final session of the trial of the CUD leaders, CUD members, and journalists convicted on June 11, 30 of the 38 defendants were sentenced to life in prison, with the remaining receiving sentences from one to 18 years. The High Court judges noted that while the prosecution's evidence had shown that the crimes committed were severe, the fact that the crimes were "attempted and not carried out" (e.g. attempt to overthrow the constitution),was considered a mitigating factor in sentencing. The defendants were therefore not given the death penalty, as had been recommended by the prosecution (reftel). Post has been informed by the Elders mediating between the GoE and the defendants that a public statement from the GoE regarding a planned amnesty will be made later today by PM Meles, with a release of the detainees to follow in the days to come. END SUMMARY. -------------- -------------- ¶2. (U) Lead judge Adil Ahmed began by announcing that the purpose of the day's session was to issue a sentencing, after having read recommendations by both the prosecution and the defense. (NOTE: Only the nine defendants represented by defense attorney Wondawik Ayele had submitted a statement. The remaining 29 defendants, including all the leadership of the CUD, continued their policy of "not recognizing the legitimacy of the court," and did not submit a statement. END NOTE.) He continued by recapping the charges and applicable sentences. The prosecution showed that the crimes had been committed "under aggravated circumstances," Adil said, "which led to the death of several police officers and put the city into chaos for several days." Additionally, he noted, "the country was at risk of war (with Eritrea) at that time," thereby enhancing the "aggravated" aspect of the charges further. Adil explained that when the bench was making its decision on a sentence, in addition to considering the circumstances in the country at the time, they also had to consider the education level of the defendants. As most of the defendants were well-educated, Adil explained, they certainly knew the legal consequences of their actions. ¶3. (U) "It was clear that the defendants tried to dismantle the constitution," Adil continued, "and there was an agreement (between defendants) to commit this act." "Therefore, there has been enough evidence to sentence the defendants with the death penalty (on charges 1, 3, 5),but according to criminal code 127, the fact that the crimes were 'attempted,' and not actually carried out, provides mitigating circumstances," he said. Therefore, the defendants received the sentence of life in prison, rather than the death penalty, as the prosecution has asked for on July 12. (NOTE: This ruling applied to all defendants except those 8 mentioned below. It includes all the leadership of the CUD. END NOTE.) Though the defendants were found guilty on all charges and sentenced to life in prison on multiple charges, he added, there was no need to issue a sentencing of consecutive sentences. ¶4. (U) Regarding the publishing companies, the Adil ruled: --Serkalem Publishing must pay a 120,000 birr (USD 13,333) fine and be closed. --Sisay Publishing must pay a 100,000 birr (USD 11,111) fine and be closed. --Fassil Publishing must pay a 15,000 birr (USD 1,666) fine and be closed. ¶5. (U) Second judge Leoul Gebremariam then addressed the specific cases of defendants Mesfin Debesa, Berhanu Alemayehu, Wedneh Jedi, Melaku Ouncha, Abiyot Wakjira and Daniel Berehun. He said that these six defendants had fully agreed with the principles of the leadership of the CUD and were accomplices in the attempt of "outrage against the constitution." Their criminal acts, as proved by prosecution ADDIS ABAB 00002245 002.2 OF 003 witness testimony, showed that their criminal acts contributed to the death of many people, he said. Leoul then identified the common aspect among the crime that these six committed--Mesfin, Berhanu and Wedneh attacked people who they believed were TPLF and/or Tigrayan; Melaku, under the pretext of election fraud "led violence against Tigrayans;" and Abiyot and Daniel, under the pretext of election fraud, "led violence and destroyed public and private property," as well as attacking members of "a particular ethnic group (i.e. Tigrayans)." (NOTE: Leoul, himself a Tigrayan, was the dissenting vote on the bench's dismissal of the genocide charge. END NOTE.) These defendants (through their attorney Wondawik) presented to the bench extenuating circumstances. However, their explanation was "irrelevant," Leoul said. He then issued the sentencing for these six defendants: --Mesfin Debesa, Berhanu Alemayehu, Wedneh Jedi, Melaku Ouncha - 18 years in prison. --Abiyot Wakjira and Daniel Berehun ) 15 years in prison. ¶6. (U) Third judge Mohammed Sanit then read sentences for journalists Andualem Ayele, Wenakseged Zeleke and Dawit Fassil. (NOTE: Journalists Wosenseged Gebrekidan and Dawit Kebede have not yet been convicted and are due to present witnesses in court July 25. END NOTE.) --Andualem Ayele ) Mohammed said that the evidence showed Andualem wrote articles stating "there would be no justice where there are traitors," and "if the debate over the results of the election continue, a situation will occur as happened in Ukraine and Georgia." He also proposed the idea of a "national unity government," Mohammed said. However, as his crimes were "attempted" and not carried out, the sentence of the death penalty was not given ) instead receiving life in prison. --Wenakseged Zeleke - Though Mohammed did not explain the reasoning for the judges' in detail, this defendant received a sentence of three years. --Dawit Fassil ) Received a sentence of 1 year. ¶7. (U) Adil then concluded the session by ruling that the prison administration would factor time already served into the sentences issued. Additionally, the prosecution should follow-up the ruling that the publishing houses that were ordered to be closed remain closed. Lastly, he ordered those sentenced to life in prison to have their civil rights restricted, as requested by the prosecution, and thereby not allowed to run for political office or vote in any election for the remainder of their lives. For those who received a lesser sentence, this will remain in effect for 5 years. Before adjourning, he announced that defendants had the right to appeal the bench's verdict and sentencing. ¶8. (U) The defendants showed no signs of shock or anger at any point of the sentencing. On the contrary, most were smiling, shaking hands, and hugging one another after the session. They attempted to dispel the apparent dismay of family members and observers, showing thumbs up, smiling and indicating that all was okay. As they left, many of the leadership flashed the CUD two-finger sign, the first time they had done this in court. -------------- COMMENT: ETHIOPIA NOW AWAITS GOE STATEMENT -------------- ¶9. (C) There have been many rumors in Ethiopia of a release of the CUD detainees soon after the sentencing, and many Ethiopians and international observers alike now await an imminent announcement by the GoE of a planned amnesty. The lead negotiator from the Ethiopian Elders, Professor Ephraim Isaac, told Poloff that he is expecting a statement from the GoE in the evening of July 16, declaring that an appeal for amnesty has been filed. Ephraim said that the Elders would follow with a statement of their own toward the end of the week. It is unclear at this time exactly what day the prisoners would be released; however, Ephraim relayed a message to PM Meles that it is very important to expedite the announcement and the process of releasing the detainees. Post will continue to work with Elders to ensure that the process comes to a quick conclusion. It is expected that the ADDIS ABAB 00002245 003.2 OF 003 Pardon Board of Ethiopia will meet soon and approve the PM's request for clemency, thereby allowing for the release of the detainees within days. YAMAMOTO