Addis Ababa, August 2, 2007 (Addis Ababa) - Two defendants who have been standing trials after having been charged with riot instigation during the post May 2005 election days told the Federal High Court that defense testimonies so far heard would be enough. So far, defendants Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie have had 29 witnesses testified for them including the 11 defense witnesses who testified in a hearing on Thursday. The defendants had got approved 160 witnesses.
They requested that their trial proceed to the next step saying testimonies from the remaining witnesses would not be different from those so far given.
After the 11 defense witnesses had testified before the Second Criminal Bench followed by cross examination by the Federal Prosecutor, the defendants have deposited documented evidences.
The court then ordered the prosecutor to look into the defense evidences and submit a conclusion of its arguments to the registrar by the 26th of August, 2007.
The court also ordered that the defendants receive copies of the prosecutor’s conclusion and submit their case by the 31st of August, 2007.
Then, the court adjourned until October 9, 2007.
---END---
