Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from BBC Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
BBC Amharic – Meskerem Abera accused of computer crimes
November 1, 2024
Founder and owner of digital media “Ethio Nikat” Meskerem Abera has been found guilty on criminal charges related to computer crimes according to her lawyer who spoke to BBC.
The verdict was passed by the Federal Higher Court Lideta Branch Special Crimes Court on Friday, November 1, 2024 (Tikimit 22, 2017 E.C.)
One of her lawyers, Ato Henok Aklilu told BBC the prosecutor said Meskerem Abera was guilty on charges brought against her on “using computers to attempt to incite riots, unrest and conflict among the public.”
There were two programs on Meskerem’s Youtube media channel Ethio Nikat which were cited as violating the Computer Crime Proclamation.
The first program aired on April 12, 2022 (Miyazia 4, 2014 E.C.) under the title “A message for General Abebaw Tadesse” while the second aired three days later under the same Youtube channel on April 15, 2022 (Miyazia 7, 2014 E.C.) under the title “What is being done in Amhara Region?”
The courthouse in today’s hearing passed a verdict that Meskerem Abera was guilty on these charges and scheduled an appointment for November 11, 2024 (Hedar 2, 2017 E.C.) to pass the sentence.
Attorney Henok Aklilu explained to BBC that the defense argued that the charges brought against Meskerem Abera were in violation of “freedom of expression” which was dismissed by the court which found the argument insufficient as “beyond the limits of freedom of expression” in light of the programs she published.
Ato Henok explained that since Meskerem Abera was found guilty of computer crimes under proclamation 958/2008 E.C. the court could issue sentencing of up to 3 years per charge, and the court would provide a sentence it deemed appropriate based on the two charges.
In today’s court following the guilty verdict, Meskerem asked for a reduced sentence according to attorney Henok, as she brought forward defenses however these were not reviewed which she appealed.
She appealed saying, “I have brought forward over 10 defense videos for the court. The videos were the basis for the programs that were produced. However the court only saw the first video.”
Though the court argued all the videos were reviewed, in her defense to the verdict she cited that she believed only one of the defenses but not all were seen, he explained.
The court stated that it passed a decision and that if there was an appeal that all defenses were not reviewed and that she could ask for an appeal towards a reduced sentence which she was asked again, said Ato Henok.
He said she said, “I will not provide a comment on a sentence. If the court does not review the defenses I brought forward, I do not expect they would review what I bring forward afterwards. I have no argument for a reduced sentence in accepting the charge leveled against me.”
The prosecutor on his end called on the court to provide a severe sentence on account of her programming inciting inter-communal unrest and violence.
Ato Henok said following the court’s sentencing decision, there would be a decision of whether or not to appeal his client Meskerem’s robust defense and evidence not being reviewed.
Her other lawyer raised the issue that the video evidence were not investigated and that officials who she requested to provide defense testify on her behalf did not appear with the court’s approval.
After the computer criminal charge was brought against Meskerem on Tahasass 2015 E.C. (December 10, 2022 to January 8, 2023) she called on the military to call on Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces General Abebaw Tadesse and former Amhara Region President Dr. Yilkal Kefale to be brought to testify.
The attorney said, “after she brought forward what these witnesses would testify on her behalf, she was told they would receive a summons.”
Her response was, “in accordance with procedure, the court did not write the summons on what would be explained by the witness. It was after the testimony was brought forward that the court was made aware of specific points, so even though she argued the court did not accept her.”
According to her attorney, she said, “because I do not expect to receive a resolution and because it will only prolong the matter, I have removed my defense witnesses”.
As it is known in addition to this, Meskerem Abera is accused of “carrying out terrorist acts” under the case file of Dr. Wondwossen Assefa, Dawit Begashaw, Gobeze Sisay and Genet Asmamaw.
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