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Mengistu found guilty of genocide Mengistu found guilty of genocide
(about 3 hours later)
Ethiopia's Marxist ex-ruler, Mengistu Haile Mariam, has been found guilty of genocide after a 12-year trial.Ethiopia's Marxist ex-ruler, Mengistu Haile Mariam, has been found guilty of genocide after a 12-year trial.
The former leader was tried in his absence. He has been in exile in Zimbabwe since being ousted in 1991 and many fear he will never face justice.The former leader was tried in his absence. He has been in exile in Zimbabwe since being ousted in 1991 and many fear he will never face justice.
In a notorious campaign - known as the Red Terror - thousands of suspected opponents were rounded up and executed and their bodies tossed on the streets. In a notorious campaign - known as the Red Terror - thousands of suspected opponents were rounded up and executed and their bodies tossed on the streets. Mengistu and dozens of his officials could face the death penalty.
Mengistu and dozens of his officials could face the death penalty.
All bar one of the other 72 officials also on trial were found guilty of genocide. Thirty-four people were in court, 14 others have died during the lengthy process and 25, including Mengistu, were tried in absentia.All bar one of the other 72 officials also on trial were found guilty of genocide. Thirty-four people were in court, 14 others have died during the lengthy process and 25, including Mengistu, were tried in absentia.
MENGISTU HAILE MARIAM 1937: Born in Walayitta 1974: Emperor Haile Selassie overthrown1977-78: Thousands killed during Red Terror1994: Genocide trial in Ethiopia begins2006: Found guilty of genocide Profile: Mengistu Haile MariamMENGISTU HAILE MARIAM 1937: Born in Walayitta 1974: Emperor Haile Selassie overthrown1977-78: Thousands killed during Red Terror1994: Genocide trial in Ethiopia begins2006: Found guilty of genocide Profile: Mengistu Haile Mariam
The BBC's Amber Henshaw said the atmosphere was muted at Ethiopia's Federal High Court in Addis Ababa as the elderly defendents shuffled in and out, dressed smartly in suits.
But she says there were joyful scenes as one of the men who was acquitted embraced his family.
Sentencing is expected on 28 December.Sentencing is expected on 28 December.
They were accused of killing thousands of people including the last emperor, members of the royal family, 60 ministers and top officials.They were accused of killing thousands of people including the last emperor, members of the royal family, 60 ministers and top officials.
Ethiopia's Federal High Court also found them guilty of imprisonment, illegal homicide and illegal confiscation of property. The court also found them guilty of imprisonment, illegal homicide and illegal confiscation of property.
"Members of the Dergue (Mengistu's junta) who are present in court today and those who are being tried in absentia have conspired to destroy a political group and kill people with impunity," said the High Court judgement. "They set up a hit squad to decimate, torture and destroy groups opposing the Mengistu regime," it said."Members of the Dergue (Mengistu's junta) who are present in court today and those who are being tried in absentia have conspired to destroy a political group and kill people with impunity," said the High Court judgement. "They set up a hit squad to decimate, torture and destroy groups opposing the Mengistu regime," it said.
The evidence against Mengistu, who is nearly 70, included signed execution orders, videos of torture sessions and personal testimonies.The evidence against Mengistu, who is nearly 70, included signed execution orders, videos of torture sessions and personal testimonies.
RuleRule
Mengistu's Marxist rule began in 1974, when he and a group of officials known as the Dergue, overthrew Ethiopia's emperor, Haile Selassie. The emperor had failed to come to grips with a poor harvest, and the situation escalated into a devastating famine.Mengistu's Marxist rule began in 1974, when he and a group of officials known as the Dergue, overthrew Ethiopia's emperor, Haile Selassie. The emperor had failed to come to grips with a poor harvest, and the situation escalated into a devastating famine.
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
Mengistu soon emerged as the leader, and in the confusion following the emperor's death the government became embroiled in bitter clashes with students and leftist rivals.Mengistu soon emerged as the leader, and in the confusion following the emperor's death the government became embroiled in bitter clashes with students and leftist rivals.
Mengistu responded by brutally suppressing the unrest.Mengistu responded by brutally suppressing the unrest.
Declaring Ethiopia a Socialist People's Republic, he turned to the Soviet Union, which backed him in fighting an invasion from Somalia.Declaring Ethiopia a Socialist People's Republic, he turned to the Soviet Union, which backed him in fighting an invasion from Somalia.
But a war fior independence in Eritrea rumbled on, and rebellion erupted in the province of Tigray.But a war fior independence in Eritrea rumbled on, and rebellion erupted in the province of Tigray.
Moscow re-armed the Ethiopian military, but it gradually crumbled until in 1991 the combined Eritrean and Tigrayan forces were on the outskirts of the capital, Addis Ababa.Moscow re-armed the Ethiopian military, but it gradually crumbled until in 1991 the combined Eritrean and Tigrayan forces were on the outskirts of the capital, Addis Ababa.
Mengistu then fled to Zimbabwe, where his friend, President Robert Mugabe gave him sanctuary.Mengistu then fled to Zimbabwe, where his friend, President Robert Mugabe gave him sanctuary.
Mr Mugabe has so far refused requests to extradite Mengistu to Ethiopia.Mr Mugabe has so far refused requests to extradite Mengistu to Ethiopia.
Mengistu himself refuses to recognise the legal basis of the trial, accusing those who overthrew him of being mercenaries and colonisers.Mengistu himself refuses to recognise the legal basis of the trial, accusing those who overthrew him of being mercenaries and colonisers.