Borkena
Toronto — A federal court in Addis Ababa on Monday sentenced prominent activist Meskerem Abera to one year and four months in prison on Monday.
Meskerem , who has been vocal in opposing the massacre of ethnic Amharas in Oromia and Benishangul regions, was charged with “inciting violence between communities using a computer” and “attempting to incite conflict and chaos.”
According to a report from VOA Amharic, the court referred to her “use of a computer to incite violence,” which likely refers to the Ethio Nikat YouTube channel she ran.
Sources indicate that she did not appear in court for the ruling, citing her belief that she would not receive justice from the system. Her lawyer represented her during the proceedings. An appeal will be filed against the ruling.
Meskerem has been in jail since April 2023 and has faced multiple instances of harassment. In addition to her activism, she is an educator, journalist, and a mother. She was arrested a few months after giving birth to her second child.
Ethiopian and international human rights activists have continued to call for her release.
Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia’s Nobel Peace Prize-winning Prime Minister, whose administration was involved in one of the worst civil wars in the country’s history—resulting in an estimated one million deaths — has recently been harsh on some activists.
His administration is also currently involved in ongoing conflicts in the Amhara and Oromia regions. In addition, his government has been accused of cracking down on free press journalists and opposition party figures. There are many political prisoners in the country , and some of them used to be part of his administration.
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