By Siyanne Mekonnen @Siyaanne Addis Abeba, October 19/2020 – The June 29 assassination of popular Oromo artist and activist Haacaaluu Hundessaa marked the return of headlines that made Ethiopia a notoriously recognizable country before two years ago: mass imprisonment and trial of prominent opposition figures, journalists, academicians, activists and ordinary …

by Mahlet Fasil @MahletFasil Addis Abeba, October 07/2020 – Yesterday morning, October 06, 2020, the Oromia Supreme Court allowed release on bail for Lidetu Ayalew which was already granted by the East Shewa Court in Adama. Accordingly, the court rejected prosecutor’s appeal against the bail and adjured his release on …

The criminal charge was filed a day after Lidetu discontinued his defense team saying his trial so far was politically motivated. Prosecutors charged him with Ethiopia’s newly enacted “Firearm Administration & Control Proclamation” under a clause penalizing possession of bulk firearms, although Lidetu was initially accused of illegaly possessing a …