Core leaders of the “Let Our Voices be Heard” told to defend

ESAT News 

December 13, 2013

Main leaders of the Dimtaschen Yisema (Let Our Voices Be Heard) that were charged with terrorism have yesterday been told by the court in Ethiopia to defend. Twelve detainees have been acquitted and released.  “Terrorism” charges against Abubaker Ahmed and others have been dropped and changed to “inciting terror”.  Murad Shekur Jemal, Nuru Turki Nuru, Shekih Baheru Umar Shekur and journalist Yusuf Getachew have been ordered to defend the charges of “supporting terror”. The defendants have been ordered to present their defences between the dates of January 30 to February 4, 2014.

The solicitor of the defendants, Temam Ababulgo, said although the article that they were asked to defend reduces the punishment, he still thinks they should be acquitted fully. He said the government’s charge on article 3 which charged that “terror attacks have been committed”, has been annulled.

Temam said when the decisions were read out the defendants did not show any emotions. He said “my clients are religious teachers who know why they have been detained and teach us endurance”.

Abubakar Ahmed, Ahmedin Jebel Mohammed, Yasin Nuru Isali, Kemil Shemsu Siraj, Bedru Hussien Nur Hussien, Shekih Mekte Muhe Mekonen, Sabir Yirgu Mandefro, Mohammed Abate Tessema, Ahmed Mustefa Habib, Abubeker Alemu Muhe, Munir Hussien Hassen, Shekih Seid Ali Juhar, Mubarak Adem Getu Aliye and Kalid Ibrahim Balcha have been ordered to defend the charges.

Hassen Ali Shuraba, Shekih Sultan Haji Aman, Shekih Jemal Yasin Rajuju, Shekih Tahir Abdulkadir, Hassen Abi Seid, Ali Meki Bedru, Shekih Haj Ibrahim Tuhafi, Shekih Abdurahman Usman Kelil, Habiba Mohammed, Docter Kemal Haj Geletu and two other organisations have been acquitted.