The Federal High Court grants 50,000 Birr bail to senior opposition figures and their defense attorney, but police emergency appeals keep them in custody
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — The Federal High Court’s Lideta Criminal Bench granted 50,000 Birr bail each to senior figures of the opposition Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Party (EPRP) and their legal counsel on Friday. However, all three suspects remain detained at a Federal Police facility after investigative authorities filed an emergency appeal before the Federal Supreme Court to block their release.
The detainees include EPRP Public Relations Head Yisaq Wolday, party member Abebe Akalu, and defense attorney Abera Negus. Federal Police initially arrested the trio on August 3, 2026, accusing them of plotting covert schemes to destabilize the country and engaging in complex terrorist activities.
Investigators filed their appeal on September 7, 2026, asking the Federal Supreme Court to overturn the bail ruling. Police argued that the suspects would not comply with court-imposed conditions and posed a severe flight risk.
In their submission, federal investigators specifically contended that if released, the suspects might attempt to join “Tsimdo”—a group authorities classify as a covert anti-government coalition. Police further argued that the suspects could use their freedom to intimidate witnesses and tamper with documentary evidence. Requesting an additional 14-day remand window, investigators asserted that extra time is required to collect outstanding human and technical evidence before presenting formal charges.
Speaking to reporters, defense attorney Solomon Gezahegn confirmed that the suspects have submitted formal counter-arguments against the police appeal. The defense maintains that police have already held the suspects for over a month under consecutive remand extensions without presenting conclusive proof.
Legal counsel argued that standard administrative measures—such as placing travel bans with the Immigration and Citizenship Service—fully address flight concerns without depriving the suspects of their constitutional right to bail. The Federal Supreme Court is expected to review the appeal and decide whether to uphold conditional release or return the suspects to police custody.
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