Genocide perpetrators to die

2004-10-21 09:46

Addis Ababa - An Ethiopian high court on Wednesday sentenced three genocide suspects to death and a fourth to 20 years in prison for murders carried out during the reign of dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam.

The court sentenced Iman Kelil Oumar, Beyan Ahmed Ousman and Asli Ahmed to death and Biftu Roba to 20 years behind bars for their role in the death of 207 people in Ethiopia's east and west Hararge Zones in 1991, the ruling stated.

The court found Iman was found guilty of involvement in the killing of 207 people, Beyan for participating in the killing of 205 people and Asli for his involving in the killing of 89 people.

It also found Biftu guilty of killing a woman and harassing civilians while armed.

Tens of thousands simply disappeared

The four members of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) carried out the murders on the basis that their victims were from the Amhara ethnic group and spies of the ruling party, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front.

Since 1994, Ethiopia has conducted trials of people accused of genocide and crimes against humanity, particularly during the so-called Red Terror period, when tens of thousands of Ethiopians were killed or simply disappeared.

Nearly 5 200 former soldiers and communist activists are due to be tried by the courts. Around 2 200 are currently in prison in Ethiopia.

Mengistu, who has lived in Zimbabwe since fleeing in 1991, was convicted in absentia.

The OLF was part of Ethiopia's transition government from 1991-95, after the fall of the Marxist regime of Mengistu.

After numerous disputes, the OLF quit the coalition and demanded the creation of an independent state to be called Oromia.

- AFP