Ethiopia: Former editor released after serving two-year sentence
The Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC) of International PEN says it has noted the release on 9 July 2004 of Tewodros Kassa. The former editor of the weekly newspaper "Ethop" had served his two-year sentence in full. Kassa was sentenced on 10 July 2002, on the grounds that he had "fabricated information that could incite people to political violence" and that he had defamed a "Mr. Duki" by "disseminating false information through the newspaper". The charges related to three "Ethop" articles published in 2001.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT UPDATE - ETHIOPIA
29 July 2004
Former editor released after serving two-year sentence
SOURCE: Writers in Prison Committee (WiPC), International PEN, London
**Updates IFEX alerts of 23 May and 7 March 2003 and 11 July 2002**
(WiPC/IFEX) - The WiPC of International PEN notes the release on 9 July 2004 of
Tewodros Kassa. The former editor of the weekly newspaper "Ethop" had served his
two-year sentence in full.
Kassa was sentenced on 10 July 2002, on the grounds that he had "fabricated
information that could incite people to political violence" and that he had
defamed a "Mr. Duki" by "disseminating false information through the newspaper".
The charges related to three "Ethop" articles published in 2001.
While passing no judgment on the contents of the articles published in "Ethop",
International PEN reiterates its opinion that custodial sentences are wholly
inappropriate when dealing with alleged offences of defamation and spreading
false information. PEN also raises its concerns over the current draft of the
ironically-named Proclamation to Provide for the Freedom of the Press in
Ethiopia, many of whose articles have the clear intention of restricting the
press rather than allowing it greater freedom in which to work (see IFEX alerts
of 28 and 21 July and 9 March 2004, 18 and 5 December, 14 and 10 February and 21
January 2003).
For further information, contact Dixe Wills at the WiPC, International PEN, 9/10
Charterhouse Buildings, Goswell Road, London EC1M 7AT, U.K., tel: +44 207 253
3226, fax: +44 207 253 5711, e-mail: [email protected], [email protected],
Internet: http://www.internationalpen.org.uk
The information contained in this alert update is the sole responsibility of
WiPC. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit WiPC.
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