By Solomon Bekele
The Supreme Court on Monday, June 28, ordered the Ginbot 7 defendants not to appear until the final verdict.
The Court, after listening to counsel from the prosecution and defense, said time was needed to examine the documents before passing final judgment. Until the verdict, only lawyers are to appear before the court.
A final decision on the Ginbot 7 defendants was expected on Monday. However, examination of documents submitted to the High Court took longer than planned.
The Federal Prosecutor has asked the Supreme Court to issue the death penalty to five members of the Ginbot 7, Brigadier General Tefera Mammo, Asaminew Tsigie, L. Colonel Demisew Anteneh, Colonel Alehubel Amare and Major Mekonen Worku. All five were originally given life sentences on December 22, 2009.
The leader of Ginbot 7, Berhanu Nega (PhD), was sentenced to death in absentia. Capital punishment was also given to Melaku Tefera by the Federal High Court Second Bench. Both were found guilty of being involved in an attempt to change the constitutional order by force through assassinating senior government officials.
Ato Tsigie Habtemariam, Andargachew Tsigie's Father
The prosecution also is asking for five freed defendants, be returned to custody. The appellant argued that they were involved in the plot and should be incarcerated.
Prosecutor’s also claimed to the property of Brigadier General Tefera Mammo, Asaminew Tsigie and Tsigie Habtemariam. This action had been dropped by the high court.
Forty Six suspects were charged in connection with the plot.
Source: Capital Ethiopia
