By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Friday, Apr 10, 2026
9News Nigeria
  • HOME
  • EDITORIAL
  • POLITICS
  • NATIONAL
  • SPORTS
  • WORLD
  • BUSINESS
  • ABOUT US
  • CONTACT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
9News Nigeria9News Nigeria
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Editorial
    • OPINION
  • Politics
  • National
    • Breaking News
    • Boko Haram
    • Crime and Investigation
    • Ohanaeze Ndigbo
  • Business
    • Nigerian economy
    • Investment
    • Finance
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • Entertainment and lifestyle
    • Hollywood
  • World
    • Africa
    • Asia News
    • Australia
    • Europe
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms And Conditions
    • Contact Us
Follow US
AfricaEthiopiaTrending News

Ethiopian politician guilty of terror charge over Facebook comments

Chigozie Ekwenye
Last updated: May 17, 2017 8:09 am
By Chigozie Ekwenye
Share
2 Min Read
SHARE

Ethiopian opposition politician Yonatan Tesfaye has been found guilty of encouraging terrorism for comments he made on Facebook.

He was arrested in December 2015 as a wave of anti-government protests in the Oromia region was gathering momentum.

The authorities objected to several posts including one in which he said the government used “force against the people instead of peaceful discussion”.

Ethiopia has been criticised for using anti-terror laws to silence dissent.

Amnesty International described the charges as “trumped up“, when they were confirmed in May 2016.

A section of Ethiopia’s anti-terror law says that anyone who makes a statement that could be seen as encouraging people to commit an act of terror can be prosecuted.

We’ve never met the opposition, Wike faction says Turaki led PDP didn’t meet ADC
Ganduje’s eldest son, Abdulaziz resigns from APC, meets Kwankwaso to move to ADC
OPSPF Inaugurates National Leadership, Calls For Unity And Grassroots Development
Find a caption for this picture

In a translation of the charge sheet by the Ethiopian Human Rights Project that details the Facebook comments, Mr Yonatan allegedly said: “I am telling you to destroy [the ruling party’s] oppressive materials… Now is the time to make our killers lame.”

Mr Yonatan, who was a spokesperson for the opposition Blue Party, is due to be sentenced later this month and faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

The government faced unprecedented protests from November 2015 as people in the Oromia region complained of political and economic marginalisation.

The protests also spread to other parts of the country.

More than 600 people died in clashes between security forces and the demonstrators as the authorities tried to deal with the unrest, according to the state-affiliated Human Rights Commission.

The government introduced a state of emergency last October to bring the situation under control.

Opposition leader Merera Gudina was arrested last December for criticising the state of emergency and he is still being held.

author avatar
Chigozie Ekwenye
See Full Bio
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp Copy Link
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Surprise0
Angry0
Previous Article Ivory Coast mutiny: Soldiers agree deal with government
Next Article Niger Delta’s peace initiatives boost oil refining- NNPC
Search
– Advertisement –
Latest News
  • Seven northern states to face power outages for grid upgrade April 9, 2026
  • Courts are powerless over political parties domestic crisis – Falana April 9, 2026
  • Gumi urges Tinubu to tackle almajiri crisis with urgent reforms April 9, 2026
  • 23 APC excos rally support for Omo-Ade ahead 2027 Ogun Assembly poll April 9, 2026
  • Zulum rolls out electric buses, cuts transport fare to N50 amid fuel crisis April 9, 2026
  • No IPOB/ESN Camp Anywhere In Egbema, Concerned Citizens Declare April 9, 2026
  • Never reinforce failure, Obasanjo warns Nigerians on 2027 presidential election April 9, 2026
  • Boko-Haram Terrorists Launched Four Attacks In Borno, Kill Another Army General April 9, 2026
  • US orders non-emergency staff to leave embassy in Nigeria over security collapse April 9, 2026
  • List of Nigerian States Labeled As High Risk by The U.S April 9, 2026
– Advertisement –
9News Nigeria
  • Editorial
  • OPINION
  • Inspiration
  • Investigative Reports
  • Featured
  • Interviews
  • About Us
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
World News
  • Africa
  • African Politics
  • Aviation News
  • Australia
  • Global Economy
  • Europe
  • Global Economy
  • Asia News
  • Middle East
  • World
  • World Politics
  • USA
  • USA Politics
News Categories
  • Breaking News
  • National
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Crime and Investigation
  • Nigeria Police
  • Nigerian Military
  • Biafra
  • ODUDUWA
  • Ohanaeze
  • Boko Haram
  • National Assembly
  • National History
  • Sober House
  • National Security
Entertainment and Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Entertainment and lifestyle
  • Nollywood
  • Lifestyle
  • Hollywood
  • Celebrity
  • Celebrity Gist
  • Celebrity Gossip
  • Events
  • Family & Relationships
  • Relationship Extra
  • Relationships

You May also Like

Iranian Navy soldiers at an armed speed boat in Persian Gulf near the strait of Hormuz about 1320km 820 miles south of Tehran April 30 2019
AfricaAfrican Economy

Why the US–Iran War Should Be a Blessing for Nigeria, Not a Curse

April 2, 2026
How social media feud with VeryDarkMan landed B Lord in prison
Celebrity GossipEntertainment and lifestyle

How social media feud with VeryDarkMan landed B-Lord in prison

April 2, 2026
Asari says well fed man criticising Tinubu is his brother not him
Hot NewsLatest News

Asari says well-fed man criticising Tinubu is his brother, not him

March 28, 2026
African PoliticsCorruption

Northern Group Fumes At “Political Persecution” Ask FG to Stop Using State Institutions to Hunt Opposition

March 26, 2026
President Bola Tinubu and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi
AfricaEditorial

Nigeria’s Diplomatic Recession: Tracking the Dwindling Global Interest (2010–2025)

March 24, 2026
AfricaAfrican Economy

WACEE 2026: Oyo Seeks German Partnership to Boost Environmental Sustainability

March 21, 2026
Show More
  • More News:
  • Europe News
  • National News
  • Politics
  • 9News Nigeria - Nigeria Breaking News
  • Nigeria Politics
  • Sports
  • Imo state
  • Opinion
  • Events
  • National Security
  • Editorial
  • Inspiration
  • Trending news
  • Bible Messages
  • Religion
  • Jesus Christ the saviour
  • The Love of God
  • World News
  • Business
  • Crime and Investigation

9NEWS NIGERIA

  • Editorial
  • OPINION
  • Inspiration
  • Investigative Reports
  • Featured
  • Interviews
  • About Us
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

NEWS CATEGORIES

  • Breaking News
  • National
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Health
  • Crime and Investigation
  • Nigeria Police
  • Nigerian Military
  • Biafra
  • ODUDUWA
  • Ohanaeze
  • Boko Haram
  • National Assembly
  • National History
  • National Security

WORLD NEWS

  • Africa
  • African Politics
  • Aviation News
  • Australia
  • Global Economy
  • Europe
  • Asia News
  • Middle East
  • World
  • World Politics
  • USA
  • USA Politics

ENTERTAINMENT AND LIFESTYLE

  • Entertainment
  • Entertainment and lifestyle
  • Nollywood
  • Lifestyle
  • Hollywood
  • Celebrity
  • Celebrity Gist
  • Celebrity Gossip
  • Events
  • Family & Relationships
  • Relationship Extra
  • Relationships
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?