Ethiopia's Mengistu faces genocide trial verdict
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - After a 12-year trial, an Ethiopian court rules on Tuesday whether former President Mengistu Haile Mariam is guilty on charges of genocide that carry a possible death penalty.
The Marxist, living a lavish but reclusive life in exile in Zimbabwe, is accused of killing thousands of people during his 17 years in power that began with the toppling of Emperor Haile Selassie in 1974 and included war, brutal purges and famine.
Political analysts say despite extradition calls Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe is unlikely to hand over Mengistu if he is found guilty. Mengistu's army helped train Mugabe's guerillas during their 1970s fight against white minority rule.
But many Ethiopians hope the verdict will draw a line under one of the darkest periods in their country's turbulent history.
In the so-called "Red Terror" campaign in 1977-1978, suspected opponents were rounded up, executed by garroting or shooting, then had their bodies tossed into the streets.
Mengistu, who fled to Zimbabwe in 1991 after he was ousted by guerillas led by current Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, has been tried in absentia in Addis Ababa since 1994.
LENGTHY TRIAL
The prosecution says the trial has been lengthy because the proceedings have been complex. It has presented evidence that has included signed execution orders, videos of torture sessions and personal testimonies.
"The incarceration of former military officials is not meant to serve as a vendetta but to register the message for the succeeding generation that organized terror and mass killing is unacceptable," said an Ethiopian lawyer, declining to be named.
"What the military junta did was a violation of the country's legal system."
About 40 members of Mengistu's "Dergue" junta have also been tried and will be in court to face verdicts. Twenty more are being tried in absentia.
They could also be sentenced to death if found guilty of crimes against humanity and genocide, which Ethiopia defines as intent to wipe out political and not just ethnic groups.
Major Melaku Tefera, known as the "The Butcher of Gondar," was sentenced to death last year for genocide and abetting the murder of 971 people during the "Red Terror." One of Mengistu's most feared aides, he was administrator of Gondar province.
The most prominent victim Mengistu is accused of killing was Haile Selassie, allegedly strangled in bed and secretly buried under a latrine in his palace. About 70 of the emperor's senior officials were shot by firing squads and dumped in a mass grave.
In 1984, Mengistu denied for months famine was ravaging the north of the country and aid workers said he flew in plane loads of whisky to celebrate the anniversary of his revolution. One million people died of starvation.
For some Ethiopians, Tuesday's verdict is meaningless.
"What is done is done. I don't see any point in further killings," said Ayeletch Seeifu, a 25-year old secretary.
"I would prefer to forgive and forget."
