Addis Ababa - An Ethiopian opposition leader sentenced to death in absentia
has been paraded on state television proclaiming "peace" with Addis Ababa
after his controversial extradition from Yemen.
Andargachew Tsige, a leader of the outlawed Ginbot 7 group who also holds
British citizenship, was convicted in absentia in 2009 and 2012 for
terrorism.
But Andargachew claimed to be no longer at war with the government and vowed
to "calm down."
"I have found peace... I don't have any hatred, any anger, no resentment,"
he said, appearing on state television with a scruffy grey beard.
Andargachew was arrested on 23 June in Yemen's Sana'a airport en route to
Eritrea, and transferred to Addis Ababa the same day, according to
Ethiopia's state broadcaster, ETV.
Britain's Foreign Office slammed Yemen for extraditing Andargachew in
defiance of international law, and urged Ethiopia to ensure his safety.
"We expect immediate consular access, and requested reassurances that the
death penalty imposed in absentia will not be carried out," Britain's
Foreign Office said in a statement.
Ethiopia accuses Andargachew of plotting attacks, according to ETV, and said
he was training opposition groups in neighbouring Eritrea, Ethiopia's
long-time foe.
Curb freedom
"He was working to hinder the country's development progress and to
destabilise the country," the broadcast said.
The US-based Ginbot 7 group is considered a terrorist organisation under
Ethiopian law.
In 2012, several people were charged for having links to the group,
including journalist Eskinder Nega and opposition leader Andualem Arage, who
was sentenced to life in prison.
Rights groups have criticised Ethiopia's anti-terrorism law, accusing the
government of using it to silence dissent and curb freedom of expression.
Ginbot 7 was founded by Addis Ababa's former mayor-elect, Berhanu Nega, and
calls for the violent overthrow of the ruling party.
Its name commemorates the Ethiopian calendar date - 15 May in the Gregorian
calendar - when post-election violence in 2005 left over 200 people dead.