Ethiopian authorities convict journalist in Addis Ababa
Nairobi, October 15, 2014–An Ethiopian court on Monday convicted journalist and magazine owner Temesghen Desalegn in connection with a 2012 defamation case, according to news reports and local journalists.
The Federal High Court in the capital, Addis Ababa, found Temesghen guilty of incitement, defamation, and false publication in connection with a series of opinion pieces published in Feteh (“Justice”), the journalist’s now-defunct weekly newsmagazine, according to local journalists’ translation of the charge sheet that was reviewed by CPJ. Authorities took Temesghen into custody Monday afternoon.
If convicted, the journalist could face up to 10 years in prison, according to his lawyer,Ameha Mekonnen. His sentencing is scheduled for October 27, according to news reports.
photos: above, Temesgen Desalegn. below, charge sheet.