Eskinder Nega (pictured above with wife Serkalem Fasil) in their younger years, has been imprisoned at least six times for his work as a writer and publisher. He is currently awaiting a verdict on terrorism charges and he faces life in prison. (Photo: PEN America)
Tadias Magazine
News Update
Saturday, May 12, 2012
New York (TADIAS) – An Ethiopian court postponed a verdict that had been expected Friday for the award-winning journalist Eskinder Nega whose trial on terrorism charges is being closely watched by the international media. Eskinder is among 24 people charged with a similar offense under the country’s controversial anti-terrorism legislation.
“We will not give a decision because some parts of the defence are not transcribed,” Judge Endashaw Endale told the courtroom, before announcing the next appointment to be on June 21st, according to Agence France Presse.
“We are disappointed Eskinder Nega’s ordeal didn’t come to an end today with the acquittal he deserves,” said Peter Godwin, President of PEN American Center, which honored Eskinder last week with its prestigious “Freedom to Write” award in New York. The literary organization’s highly regarded accolade is granted to international writers who have been persecuted or imprisoned for exercising the right to freedom of expression. The award was accepted by his wife Serkalem Fasil, also a journalist who gave birth to their son behind bars while serving a 17-month sentence that began in 2005.
“The trial proceedings only reinforced the baselessness of the charges against him, and the court’s explanation for the delay in issuing a verdict—that it needs another six weeks to transcribe the record—does little to inspire confidence in the court’s workings,” Mr. Godwin said in a statement.
Eskinder had spent his high school and college years in the United States, and went back to Ethiopia in 1991. Since returning home, Eskinder, 43, has published and written articles that critical of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and government policies. He was arrested in September 2011 after criticizing the jailing of other journalists and the actor Debebe Eshetu.
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Related:
Watch video: Eskinder Nega Honored With Prestigious PEN Award
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Photos: PEN America’s 2012 Annual Gala Dinner in New York Honors Eskinder Nega
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Related:
Imprisoned Ethiopian Journalist Is Honored With PEN Award (The New York Times)
Ethiopian journalist honored with PEN America ‘Freedom to Write’ award (The Washington Post)
Jailed Ethiopian journalist Eskinder Nega honoured (BBC)
PEN Honors Jailed Ethiopian Journalist (Associated Press)
