(borkena) Zone9 bloggers and three other journalists are charged by Federal Prosecutor today with a criminal offence related to “terrorism”, according to Reporter Amharic edition breaking news report.
Six members of Zone9 bloggers : Abel Wabella, Atinaf Berhane, Befkadu Hailu, Mahlet Fantahun, Natenael Feleke, and Zelalem Kibret were in custody,without charge, in the torture chamber of Maekelawi for more than 80 days. Solyana Shimeles, who is implicated as founder of Zone9 and foreign relation coordinator, is charged in absentia.
Three journalists- Asmamaw Hailegiorgis, Edom kassaye and Tesfalem Woldeyes – are also charged along with Zone9 bloggers. As Zone 9 bloggers, the three journalists were in custody without charge nearly for three months.
Federal Prosecutor litigates that Zone9 bloggers and the three journalists were clandestinely organized to incite protest. It even went to the extent of claiming that Zone9 bloggers received instruction and idea from OLF (Oromo Liberation Front) an ethnic Oromo rebel group operating mainly operating in neighboring countries and Ginbot 7, a movement for democracy ,Justice and Freedom based in the diaspora.
As well, Zone9 bloggers are implicated in taking training abroad and in Ethiopia to plan “terror.” To read Reporter’s report in Amharic, please click here