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Ethiopia awaits Mengistu verdict Mengistu found guilty of genocide
(about 1 hour later)
A verdict is expected in the 12-year genocide trial of Ethiopia's former Marxist ruler, Mengistu Haile Mariam. Ethiopia's ex-Marxist ruler, Mengistu Haile Mariam, has been found guilty of genocide after a 12-year trial.
He is accused of killing tens of thousands of people after he ousted Emperor Haile Selassie. The former leader fled to Zimbabwe in 1991 and was being tried in absentia. Eleven co-defendants were also guilty.
In a notorious campaign - known as the Red Terror - thousands of suspected opponents were rounded up, executed then tossed onto the streets. Ethiopia's Federal High Court also found them guilty of imprisonment, homicide and confiscation of property.
The ex-leader fled to Zimbabwe in 1991 and is being tried in absentia but 34 members of his junta are in court. In a notorious campaign - known as the Red Terror - thousands of suspected opponents were rounded up, executed then tossed onto the streets
Twenty-seven more people are being tried in absentia. The judge is not expected to deliver sentences immediately. They could face the death penalty.
Thirty-four members of Mengistu's junta are in court and 27 more are being tried in absentia.
AFRICA HAVE YOUR SAY We should not allow law makers to become law breakers. Being a former president does not make one sacrifice more for the state than the man in the street Besenty Gomez, Kitty Village Send us your commentsAFRICA HAVE YOUR SAY We should not allow law makers to become law breakers. Being a former president does not make one sacrifice more for the state than the man in the street Besenty Gomez, Kitty Village Send us your comments
If found guilty by the Supreme Court, they could face the death penalty for crimes against humanity and genocide. The verdict was expected in May, but presiding judge Medhin Kiros said the court needed more time to assess the huge body of evidence.
Presiding judge Medhin Kiros has started to read out his verdict, starting with a long list of charges against the numerous defendants.
The verdict was expected in May but Judge Medhin said the court needed more time to assess the huge body of evidence.
The evidence against Mengistu, who is nearly 70, includes signed execution orders, videos of torture sessions and personal testimonies.The evidence against Mengistu, who is nearly 70, includes signed execution orders, videos of torture sessions and personal testimonies.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has so far refused requests to extradite Mengistu to Ethiopia.Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has so far refused requests to extradite Mengistu to Ethiopia.