Ethiopia Jails Muslims Over "Terror" Charges

Some Muslims in Ethiopia have staged demonstrations against the government

ADDIS ABABA – An Ethiopian court has handed 18 Muslims jail terms up to 20 years over claimed "terror" charges and attempts to "establish an Islamic State" in the African country.

According to a court in the capital, the convicted Muslims were involved in terror activities including conspiring to create a religious government, Reuters reported on Monday, August 3.

Arrested three years ago, the Muslims have been convicted in July, despite denying the charges.

The arrest of the 18 Muslims, including a scholar and a journalist, has sparked nationwide demonstrations demanding the release of the detainees.

It followed months of protests by Muslims accusing the government of interfering in religious affairs.

Four of the defendants, Abubakar Ahmed, Ahmedin Jebel, Yasin Nuru and Kemal Shmsu, were sentenced to 22 years each in prison, according to Addis Standard publication.

Five of them were sentenced to 18 years, another five to 15 years and four defendants to seven years behind bars.

Muslims accused the government of spearheading a campaign in collaboration with the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs to indoctrinate their community with the ideology of a sect called "Ahbash".

Muslims say the government move is in violation of the constitution, which prevents the government interference in religious affairs.

Muslims also accuse the Ahbash of launching an "indoctrination program" in predominantly Muslim areas, forcing people to attend "religious training" camps or risk police interrogation and possible arrest.

The ruling comes at the time when Africa's oldest independent country is facing increasing criticism from rights groups

In 2014 Human Rights Watch has urged the government to free the jailed leaders, accusing it of a "brutal crackdown" on protests.

Amnesty International has also condemned what the rights group described as the Ethiopian government’s use of repressive tactics against demonstrators.

Muslims make up about 34 percent of Ethiopia’s population, according to the government’s 2007 census.

But other sources put Ethiopia Muslims at about 50% of the country’s population.

Source: onislam.net