Amnesty reaction to conviction of Ethiopian journalists and opposition politicians

LONDON, United-Kingdom, January 19, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Three journalists, one opposition politician and one other individual, all found guilty of terrorism offences by an Ethiopian court today, were convicted on the basis of their legitimate exercise of the right to freedom of expression and must be released immediately and unconditionally, Amnesty International said today.

“Amnesty International believes there is no evidence that the three men and two women were guilty of any criminal wrongdoing. We believe that the five are prisoners of conscience, prosecuted because of their legitimate work and peaceful activities,” said Claire Beston, Amnesty International's Ethiopia researcher.

"A significant amount of the prosecution's evidence focused on the defendants' reporting of, and alleged involvement in, calls for peaceful protest against the government. Other evidence included articles written by defendants and even articles sent to defendants by other people. This illustrates that free expression has been criminalised in this trial, and that criticising the government is considered a crime."

"These convictions are another sign that individuals who hold different opinions, represent different political parties or attempt to provide independent commentary on political developments, are no longer tolerated in Ethiopia."