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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Roy Greenslade

Ethiopian journalist faces death penalty

Ethiopian journalist Eskinder Nega could be sentenced to death tomorrow (11 May). He is one of several people accused of inciting terrorism.

He was arrested in September last year after writing an article that questioned the arrests of journalists and the actor Debebe Eshetu under the country's sweeping anti-terror legislation.

It criminalises any reporting deemed to "encourage" or "provide moral support" to groups and causes which the government considers to be "terrorist".

Nega is accused of affiliation with the banned political party Ginbot 7 and of allegedly receiving weapons and explosives from Eritrea.

Nega and his wife, Serkalim Fasil, also a journalist, were jailed together in 2005 for treason because of their coverage of a disputed parliamentary election. Their son, now seven, was born in jail.

Nega has been imprisoned at least six times under prime minister Meles Zenawi. His defence of human rights in Ethiopia has earned him a press freedom award from the PEN American Center.

Sources: IFEX/PEN

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