Ethiopia cabinet approves new anti-terrorism bill

June 1st, 2009 | EthioPolitics.com |

By Kirubel Tadesse, Capital
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Ginbot-7 ‘plot’ case handed to prosecutor
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A new anti-terrorism bill was endorsed last Wednesday by the Council of Ministers.
During the 86th regular meeting, the cabinet endorsed and referred the bill to parliament after making some amendments to the National Intelligence Security Service’s draft, a senior Government official who attended the meeting told Capital.

The President first announced back in October that legislators will make a new law this year to better protect the nation from terrorism, with extra stipulations that would facilitate preventive measures, investigations and the prosecution of terrorists before the court of law.

In a related development, the federal prosecutor, last week, heard the case of suspects of the alleged plot to assassinate Government officials and demolish the buildings of public enterprises, such as telecommunication installations and power stations.

The suspects, who are alleged to be members of the Ginbot 7 movement, appeared before court last Monday, May 25 for the third time. According to reports of the state-run news agency, police disclosed to the court that it has finalised investigation into the case and submitted the investigation document to the prosecutor.

Accepting the appeal from the prosecutor, the court gave a 14 day extension for the prosecutor to make its case. The court had previously granted two periods of fourteen days for the investigation after requests from the police.

Police say the Ginbot 7 movement, which is led by ex-CUDP leader, Dr. Berhanu Nega, masterminded the plot using active and fired military officers and other civilians. The group has openly said it will use any means to overthrow the Government.

Thirty five individuals were first taken into custody by the joint Anti-terror Taskforce of the National Intelligence Security Service and the Federal Police operation. In less than a week the number of suspects grew to 40 and the police announced an offer of rewards for information that leads to the capture of three or more suspects. Subsequently, one of the named suspects gave himself up.

Six active military personnel, including an active duty brigadier general, are confirmed to be among the suspects. The civilian wing of the plot is alleged to have been led by a former CUDP member, who was released by a Government pardon, as with Dr. Berhanu, following the fallout from the 2005 elections.

The suspects were first brought before the court on April 27. The full list of the suspects and charges has not yet been disclosed.