#AbiyMustGo#Ethiopia

The Oromo political prisoners will not attend future scheduled court dates until those acquitted by the court are released. Jawar Mohammed, Bekele Gerba, Hamza Borana et al. will join the hunger strike with Tigray for the next two days, says Jawar Mohammed in court today. 

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The court started today with Hamza Borana leading the one minute moment of silence and prayer by all political prisoners for the teenager Amanuel Wondimu who was extrajudicially executed in the public square in front of his mother, father, brothers, sisters, and mass crowd in Dembi Dollo. 

 

During today's court hearing, Jawar Mohammed and Bekele Gerba said that the Oromo nationalists are being tortured in the deserts such as Awash Arba, even though they are said to be free in court. They added, "we have respect for you judges, but you, the judges here, cannot make a difference on your own because you are part of the system.” They said that they will not come to court until the release of those who have been acquitted. 

 

Another matter Jawar Mohammed addressed in court today is that they will go on a hunger strike for two consecutive days. The reason is to show their solidarity and support for the people of Tigray, who are fighting against genocide, rape and starvation. As is known, the people of Tigray have closed their homes and are on a hunger strike in protest of the massacre, rape and widespread abuses since yesterday. They said that Oromo political prisoners in Kaliti also stand by the people of Tigray, who are making harsh sacrifices for their rights.

 

The prosecutor asked a long period of adjournment to provide its statement of claim regarding the hearing of witnesses behind the curtain, in accordance with the last remand of Federal Supreme Court. Then Jawar Mohammed et al. accepted the long period of adjournment asked by the prosecutor. Since court orders and rulings are not being obeyed by the executive branch of the government, particularly on account of the superior order, the political prisoners asked for a 2-5 years long adjournment. However, the court adjourned to June 7th and June 17th for the statement of claim and statement of defense, respectively, and advised the political prisoners not to be absent from the hearings.

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