| UPDATES | ||
These are recent updates regarding the trial
proceedings, Kifle's health, and spirit May 8th, 2007 March 30, 2007 March 12, 2007 February 6 , 2007 December 14 , 2006 |
Archive |
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MAY 14, 2007 |
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Kifle to defend charges - Next court date set for
6 months from now on October 28th
On Monday 14th of May, as might have been predicted, the court
ruled that Kifle and 13 other co-defendants should defend the charge
of “outrages against the constitution”. Nineteen
others were released. The ludicrous charge of “attempted genocide” was
dropped. Maintaining the first charge means that no bail
can be granted. The defense stated that they were ready to present
their case within 3 weeks. However the court is apparently too busy
to respond until the end of October. The judges ruling based on no
substantial evidence and the extensive delay in hearing the defense
of this case, again clearly emphasizes the lack of independence of
the courts and the true political nature of all of these proceedings.
Kifle is quite philosophical about these turn of events. He is
in good health and keeps busy – scrabble contests remain
high on the agenda but he has given up on the jigsaw puzzle!
By the time Kifle again comes to court he will have been
in jail for almost 2 years.
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MAY 8, 2007 |
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Kifle has been in jail for over
500 days and, yet again, at the court appointment the judges
handed down another "appointment" for Monday 14th May.
Tuesday'scourt appearance was to receive the judges opinion as to
whether the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence for there
to be charges to answer and a defense raised. The judges had
not finished reading all the evidence and documents. This
was no surprise. We will wait and see what next Monday brings but
with continued evidence of lack of an independent judiciary no hopes
are raised that there will be any justice.
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MARCH 30, 2007 |
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Kifle, who has been detained
for 15 and a half months, again appeared in court. Despite protests
by the defense counsel, the court at the last hearing 2 weeks ago,
allowed the prosecution to introduce new documentary evidence which
he duely submitted to the court. The court was then adjourned until
Monday April 2nd in order to give time for a review of these new
documents.
Despite these blatant delays in the legal process and the continued
lack of evidence, Kifle remains healthy and in good spirits.
He keeps himself occupied by reading, exercising and playing scrabble.
he is also working on a jigsaw puzzle. Family and friends
visit him at the weekends. Mediation negotiations appeared to have
slowed down considerably - One wonders whether the EPDRF is really
serious about negotiations?
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MARCH 12, 2007 |
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Yet again, Kifle and his 31 co-defendants appeared in court on February 28. The court was attended by observers from the US and British Embassies as well as the EU legal observer, but family members were again unable to enter the small court room as it was apparently too full. This is caused by the practice of the Courts attending to several other cases simultaneously resulting in a number of defendants being brought to court at the same time. The Prosecution presented 4 witnesses, three of which were Kebele officials. As before, witnesses were unclear and did not present any credible evidence that could form any basis for the serious charges that have kept Kifle and any of his co-defendants in prison for 15 months. Much of what the witnesses said was supposition on their part, with the prosecution leading witnesses to respond to what was wanted to be heard. However, clarification questions from the judges demonstrated the many weaknesses in the Prosecution’s case. One witness described how he had been present when Kifle’s office was searched. He was unsure that this was indeed Kifle’s office. A number of documents were removed. However he did not sign any of these documents verifying that they were indeed found in Kifle’s office and removed in his presence. Having presented a total of 17 witnesses to date, none of whom provided credible evidence, the Prosecution again asked to be allowed to bring in new witnesses and additional documentary evidence. Despite a strong request from the defense that the prosecution has now been granted 4 opportunities to present all his witnesses and evdience and that today’s hearing had been stated to be the final opportunity, the judges again ruled in favor of the prosecution. The next court date is set for March 14th, only confirming and emphasizing the continued blatant delays and procedural irregularities in this case. Kifle remains in good spirits and healthy. He is exercising regularly, reading and playing scrabble with some of his co-prisoners – One of his concerns is that his companions are getting very good at the game! For all those who read this update and wish to help, please continue to press for a speedy and just resolution to this trial and the unconditional release of Kifle and all other political prisoners. |
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FEBRUARY 6 , 2007 |
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As we move into 2007, Kifle has now been in detention for 13½ months. On a brighter note, he is now held in relatively better conditions in Kaliti Jail together with some of the ex-Dergue leaders. There is less overcrowding and better sanitation. The longer term prisoners have made a small garden and there is a verandah to sit out on. He is keeping himself busy walking at least 7kms every day around the small courtyard and reading books. The last court appearance was on Monday, January 29th. Again housed in one of the small High Court rooms in Lidetta, there were several other cases as well as Kifle’s and thus no room for any family observers. This was however immaterial as, although 3 witnesses turned up, the Prosecutor did not. The Judge re-scheduled the court to be in session on the same afternoon. At this time, family members were allowed to observe the proceedings. However, this became irrelevant because although the Prosecutor was there, the witnesses were not. Bearing in mind the serious nature of the charges and the fact that bail has repeatedly been denied, one cannot help but wonder about the assurance that the trial would be speedy and fair. A request from the Prosecutor for a further adjournment, confirmed by a further 1 month delay, only goes to confirm that the basis on which Kifle and the other defendants are being held, remains tenuous and that there are now several instances of blatant delaying tactics in this case. The next court appointment is for February 28th, 9 days after the judges in the Hailu Shawel case are due to come back with a ruling. The need for continued efforts at reaching a negotiated way forward remains paramount. As part of any negotiation, Kifle, the CUD leaders and others that have been held for over a year need to be released. In a land that boasts 13 months of sunshine, little of it has found Kifle and his co-defendents. |