UPDATE
Eskinder Nega was found guilty of encouraging "terrorist" acts and conspiring with rebels in Ethiopia's High Court on 27 June.
Eskinder was initially arrested on 14 September 2011 and charged under Ethiopia's anti-terrorism law after he wrote an article in which he criticised the manner in which the government used the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation of 2009 to stifle freedom of expression by persecuting those who expressed views contrary to those of the government. Charges against him also stem from accusations that he incited violence through his articles on the Arab Spring and his analysis of the political situation in the country.
Ethiopia's anti-terrorism law has been used disproportionately to target journalists and human rights defenders and equates the free expression of views and peaceful dissent with "terrorism."
The verdict is the most recent attempt by the government to completely stifle the activities of human rights activists and journalists by criminalising free expression and peaceful dissent.
Eskinder was also accused of supporting a US based opposition group Ginbot Seven. The Ethiopian government has officially labelled Ginbot Seven a "terrorist" organisation.
24 others were convicted under the same anti-terrorism law. The law makes publishing any information encouraging terrorism acts illegal, and has been used to target journalists participating in political reporting.
The defendants, including Eskinder, could face up to life in prison for their acts. Prosecutors have not pushed for the death penalty but are looking for a minimum of 5 years in prison for Eskinder and the 24 accused. Seven defendants and Eskinder were the only ones to appear in court on Wednesday, the rest of the defendant s were convicted in absentia.
Sentencing is expected on 13 July.
CIVICUS calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Eskinder and other activists in Ethiopia and for charges against them to be dropped.
Related Information
Ethiopian blogger convicted of plotting with rebels - Times Live
Ethiopia: Journalist Found Guilty - New York Times
Ethiopia: Terrorism Law Used to Crush Free Speech - Human Rights Watch
Ethiopian blogger Eskinder Nega 'guilty of terror link' - BBC
