[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Feb. 8


ETHIOPIA:

Appeal for Mengistu death penalty --- Thousand's of Mengistu's opponents
were killed


Ethiopia is lodging an appeal to demand the death sentence for the
country's former ruler Mengistu Haile Mariam and his closest aides.

Mengistu and his associates were found guilty of killing thousands of
people by the country's high court during the regime's 17-year rule.

State prosecutor Yosef Kiros said he wants the life sentence handed out
last month to be overturned.

Mengistu is in exile in Zimbabwe, which says he will not be extradited.

The three judges who handed out the life sentences were divided over the
verdict.

The presiding wanted the death penalty but the other 2 thought life
sentences were more appropriate because of the men's health and ages.

Mass graves

Mr Yosef said the defendants did not deserve the court's sympathy and that
some of them should get capital punishment.

A lawyer defending 2 of the men said he was not surprised by the
prosecution's decision.

In total, 73 people were charged with genocide and crimes against humanity
- 33 appeared in court, 25 including Mengistu were tried in absentia,
another 14 died during the 12-year case and 1 man was acquitted.

Mengistu's military committee, known as the Derg, came to power in 1974
after they toppled Ethiopia's last emperor Haile Selassie.

The most brutal period of the regime was known as the Red Terror when
suspected opponents and intellectuals were rounded up and killed.

Many of their bodies ended up in mass graves or were just tossed into the
street for families to collect.

(source: BBC News)