Oromo activist Jawar’s lawyer released
Finfinne (Yeroo) — The lawyer of Oromo opposition activist Jawar Mohammed has been released, according to sources close to the case.
Lawyer Kedir Bullo was arrested for a few hours, allegedly due to a misunderstanding with prison police, before being released late Tuesday.
The prominent lawyer has so far been successful in defending his clients and 6 of the 10 charges against Jawar (and colleagues) have been dismissed by the Federal High Court. However the government prosecutors are expected to appeal the decision.
Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) leader Bekele Gerba and activist Hamza Borana are also charged together with Jawar.
Oromo opposition activists say the charges are politically motivated, as Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed’s Oromia party prepares for the election. However the Ethiopian government accuses the prisoners of colluding with foreign government and attempting to overthrow the government, after hundreds of people died after the assassination of popular musician Hacalu Hundessa.
The ruling party’s main competitor nationwide is the Ethiopian Citizens for Social Justice (ESCFJ or Ezema), however the OFC and OLF are top opponents locally. While the OFC led by Dr Merera Gudina is undecided on joining the upcoming election, a faction of the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) has decided to participate.
