Eskinder, Andualem's trial POSTPONED

Addis Neger

The long anticipated verdict on Andualem Arage, Eskinder Nega and others 22 defendants POSTPONED to July 21 (Sene 14).

The session that lasted only for 10 minutes attracted many journalists and observers including the USA and UK ambassadors. The judges announced that, in the most grumbling explanation common to all political trials, they cannot give the verdict because “they couldn’t get the file copied [or transcribed] in time” (filu betsihuf tegelbito selaldereselen). The court hasn’t specified what kind of files are to be copied or transcribed that needed a month and half till the next session. Neither is known if the judges actually gave a decision or waiting for a direction from the political establishment.

The main reason to postpone the trial could be the ongoing World Economic Forum meeting and the media attention came with it.

Andualem and Eskinder were in good spirit and shape as a journalist attended the session told Addis Neger.

Breaking News : Students Protest in Bahir Dar and Gonder Universities

By Derese Tariku, for De Birhan 

Addis Abeba

09 May 2012

Following the protests and arrest of students of Debre Markos University, northern Ethiopia, in the past two days, the students of Bahir Dar University and Gonder University have began large scale protests today. It has been confirmed that both Poly and Peda Campuses of Bahir Dar University (BDU) and Tewodors and Maraki Campuses of Gonder University (GU) have spent the whole day today (09May 2012) protesting. "The student's protest is spreading like a wildfire" said a student from Maraki Campus, GU.  Regional police force and Federal police are approaching the campuses.

Several students have been injured and arrested following "rights related" protests by Debre Markos University  students in the past two days. "Food poison" is also said to be one of the causes.

There are over 40,000 students in both Bahir Dar and Gonder Universities enrolled in the regular program.