DW Amharic – Supreme Court overturns Dr. Sisay Awgichew’s right to bail
- AAA-admin
- 28 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from DW Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
DW Amharic – Supreme Court overturns Dr. Sisay Awgichew’s right to bail
Solomon Muchie
March 18, 2026 (Megabit 9, 2018 EC)
Today the Federal Supreme Court overturned a previous ruling by the High Court granting Dr. Sisay Awgichew release on bail. On February 23, 2026 (Yekatit 16, 2018 EC) the Federal High Court passed a verdict permitting his release on bail in the amount of 100,000 birr however when he left the detention facility he was redetained by police.
On February 23, 2026 (Yekatit 16, 2018 EC) the Ethiopian Federal High Court ruled for the release of the detained individual, accused of terror crimes, on bail in the amount of 100,000 birr however when he left prison he was rearrested by police.
Following this, his attorney who said he had been following his bail process, stated that the Federal Supreme Court overturned the lower court’s ruling today, violating his right to bail.
In relation to this case file detainees Genet Asmamaw and Meskerem Abera as well as Ato Yohannes Buayalew, who is accused of terror charges under a similar case, are facing severe health concerns according to their attorney who spoke to Deutsche Welle.
Two years ago in relation to the conflict which transpired in Amhara Region, Dr. Sisay Awgichew was accused of terror crimes under the case file of Dr. Wondwossen Assefa, and in a previous court hearing denial of his right to bail was lifted under an improved article of indictment.
Following this, the matter was reviewed by the Federal High Court Third Anti-Terror and Constitutional Court which passed a ruling granting his release on bail in the amount of 100,000 birr on February 23, 2026 (Yekatit 16, 2018 EC).
Two days after the Federal High Court’s ruling when the defendant was leaving Kilinto Prison he was rearrested by police which was widely discussed at the time.
The defendant’s lawyers said that because the article under which Dr. Sisay was charged had been changed to one that no longer prohibited bail, the defence had submitted to the court in writing arguing that “a new development has arisen.” One of the defendant’s lawyer and legal advisor Solomon Gezahegn, told Deutsche Welle today that the Federal Supreme Court in today’s hearing had overturned the right to bail granted by the lower court.
Under this court file Genet Asmamaw and Meskerem Abera an under another similar case file related to terror crimes Amhara Region Council member Ato Yohannes Buayalew were facing severe health problems said attorney Solomon Gezahegn.
Dr. Sisay Awgichew is among 51 people charged in 2023 (2015 EC) under the case file of Dr. Wondwossen Assefa, who were accused of carrying out acts of terrorism to forcibly control the federal government’s power, and they had been following their legal case in court for nearly three years.
Solomon Muchie
Lidet Abebe
Tsehaye Chanie
Comments