Ethiopian Court Sentences Canadian to Life in Prison

The Ethiopia High Court in Addis Ababa, sentenced Bashir Ahmed Makhtal, a former Toronto resident, to life in prison Monday.

Ethiopian authorities say that Makhtal was involved with the Ogaden National Liberation Front, a known terrorist group operating in Eastern Ethiopia. Makhtal has repeatedly denied having any part in the terrorist group, which his grandfather helped to found. The group was established to help fight for independence in eastern Ethiopia. Last week, Makhtal Canadian lawyer, Lorne Waldman, called the court proceedings a “kangaroo court” because they ignored evidence from Makhtal, who has been locked up for more than two years already. Makhtal was born in Ethiopia in 1969, and later, settled in Canada as a refugee. He then moved to Kenya opening a used-clothing business. He was arrested at the border of Kenya and Somalia in 2007. Ethiopia had invaded the region as a move to help the Somali government fight Islamic militants. Defence lawyers said that Makhtal, "was at the wrong place at the wrong time." Last week, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon asked that Makhtal not receive the death penalty. Another Canadian diplomat, also attending the court proceedings, declined to comment on the case. Human rights activists say that Makhtal’s case is not unusual. It’s believed, possibly hundreds like him, are being held in secret prisons in Ethiopia on suspicion of being involved with terrorist groups. The defence has said that they believe that Makhtal is only being held because his grandfather was the co-founder of the terrorist group, Ogaden. Lawyer Gebreamlak, who is a part of the defence team, says he will appeal the verdict and sentence.