Several of those freed later went into exile, but Eskinder Nega and Serkalim Fasil, who are husband and wife, along with Sisay, applied in September for permission to re-open their papers.Įskinder says he and Serkalim, who gave birth to their son while in prison, are unfazed by the rejection, and plan to fight on. They were released last April, after the charges were dropped. They were initially charged with outrage against the constitution, which is tantamount to treason, and carries a maximum sentence of death. The three were among 15 journalists jailed for their coverage of the anti-government uprisings that left nearly 200 demonstrators dead following the disputed 2005 elections. No reasons for the rejections were given. Journalists and newspaper publishers Eskinder Nega, Serkalim Fasil, and Sisay Agena say they were notified by an Ethiopian information ministry official Monday that their applications for permits to practice journalism were denied. ![]() VOA's Peter Heinlein has details from the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. After CPJ wrote a letter to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi expressing concern about the prisoners, sources said conditions improved somewhat.Ethiopia has denied licenses to three independent newspaper publishers who were jailed for 17 months in connection with media coverage of the country's 2005 post-election unrest. The two were not told why they had been moved to another prison, the sources said. Several sources said these prisoners were abused and that their visiting rights were severely curtailed. When the trial went into recess in August and September, CPJ received reports that Nega and Agena had been moved to the capital’s Karchele Prison, known for its harsh conditions. Prisoners complained that their conditions were difficult. The delegation spoke with Nega, Fassil, Agena, and Yenealem, all of whom said they had been doing their jobs as journalists in criticizing the government. In March, a CPJ delegation was allowed to visit Kality Prison near Addis Ababa and meet with some of the jailed journalists. In April, CPJ issued a special report, “Poison, Politics, and the Press,” outlining its findings. A CPJ analysis of evidence provided by the prosecution found that the journalists’ work was often antigovernment but did not constitute incitement to violence or genocide. The journalists refused to put up a defense, saying the charges were baseless and the proceedings politicized. Charges against the journalists included “outrage against the constitution and the constitutional order,” “impairment of the defensive power of the state,” and “attempted genocide.” Nega faces additional charges of “obstruction of the exercise of constitutional powers,” “inciting, organizing and leading armed rebellion against the government,” and “high treason.” He was charged as a leader of the CUD opposition party but has denied the accusation. The joint trial of these journalists and opposition leaders began in February, with most observers expecting it to last many months or even years. ![]() The charges could bring death sentences upon conviction. ![]() They were charged in December 2005 along with dozens of opposition leaders with conspiring to overthrow the government. These editors and publishers of Amharic-language newspapers were arrested in a massive crackdown on the private press and opposition that followed antigovernment protests in the capital, Addis Ababa, in November 2005.
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