The Federal High Court fourth criminal bench has sentenced Yonatan Tesfaye, former public relations head of Blue Party to six years and six months in prison.
Yonatan was charged with planning and encouraging terrorism via his Facebook page by hijacking the unrest which occurred last year in Oromia regional states in connection with the Addis Ababa master plan, as a good opportunity.
According to the charge statement, the defendant was active to promote his political ideology, press the government, terrorize the public as well as disrupt and destroy constitutional order, including political and socio-economic institutions.
As per article 6 of Ethiopia’s anti terrorism law, the defendant should have received up to 20 years prison sentence, according to the Court.
However, following his appeal for a minimum sentence, he was sentenced to six years and six months in prison, it said.
In a related development, journalist Getachew Shiferaw was found guilty of the charge he faced.
Getachew was charged with participating in the self-declared terror group, Ginbot-7 and exchanging information with leaders of the group mainly with Abebe Gelaw, who was convicted of terrorism charges.
He denied the charge but the federal prosecutor presented witnesses and information he exchanged via internet and Facebook to prove the case.
The Court adjourned the sentencing for tomorrow-(FBC).