Two civil society activists, Daniel Bekele, 40, of ActionAid Ethiopia and Netsanet Demissie, 29, of the Organisation for Social Justice in Ethiopia, remain in
prison in Addis Ababa despite the release of 31 opposition supporters this morning.Daniel and Netsanet are now the only two remaining in jail from the original trial of over 130. They have been
imprisoned for almost two years following post-election unrest and face charges of 'outrage against the constitution and constitutional order'.Julian Filochowski, ActionAid spokesperson
said: "Daniel and Netsanet's trial is not over until a verdict is announced . They ably defended themselves as they sought to demonstrate their innocence to the
court."Whilst opposition supporters went through a process of conviction, sentencing, pardon and release, Daniel and Netsanet continue to defend their case. They declined to join
the others in an appeal for a pardon, which involved signing a statement admitting to unconstitutional activities."ActionAid hopes that when the process is completed and the verdict is
delivered, Daniel and Netsanet will be acquitted."It is a great disappointment to us that last week Daniel and Netsanet were refused bail by the Ethiopian Supreme Court even though
most, and now all of the others arrested at the same time have been released," said Filochowski.Amnesty International considers them to be prisoners of conscience and human rights
defenders.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
