Teedy’s prison term reduced

The six year sentence ruled on Teddy Afro for the alleged crime he committed is reduce to two years on appeal. In consideration of the time he already served, he could be free very shortly.

Despite holding the guilty verdict, the judge Dagne Melaku reduced the sentence from six years to two on grounds that the victim was seen lying drunk and unconscious in the road before the accident-and that the police had failed to move him to safety.

Teddy has already spent a year at Kaliti that it is supposed he would only remain with less than year to serve, with an allowance for good behavior.

According to BBC’s Elizabeth Blunt, who reported the news no sooner than the closing of the appellate court, “groups of people gathered around streets hugging and cheering each other at the news that their favorite singer would soon be free.”
The judge confirmed the guilty verdict asserting that “they found the allegation that he killed a young homeless man approved by evidences.”

“Though his lawyer refused to present mitigating circumstances that would reduce the verdict , we have found the case that the victim was lying drunk on the street before the arrival of Teddy’s car , as a mitigating circumstance. The victim played the major role in the accident,” explained the judge.

Interrupting the judge’s speech of verdict Teddy asked permission if it is possible to explain. In apprehension of Teddy’s interruption of the court, his lawyer asked pardon justifying Teddy’s mistake in lack of awareness of a court procedure. The judge’s response to Teddy’s temperament was a reprimanding back slash, “you are not right. Immaturity is observed in your behaviors”

There is an enthused anticipation among Teddy’s fans of what he would come up with coming out of prison.

We respect every religion equally impartially:HIM Hailesilassie I

Here is a speech HIM Hailesilassie I gave on October 11, 1963 during his visit of the mosque in Asmara, Eritrea following the welcoming speech by the head of the mosque Sheikh Ibrahim Oumar Muktar.

I thought it would invite further reflections on the current Islam-Christian issue.

The speech is from the 2^nd volume of the book “firekenafir Ze Kedamawi Hailesilassie Niguse Negest ZeEthiopia.” (Witty Words of Mouth from Hailesilassie I King of Kings of Ethiopia.)

 

In rescuing Limenih

In the early days of the EPRDF government, one of the few TV entertainment shows was the weekly 120. There were program hosts and artists who bought the spirit of entertainment and inspiration to the then environment in which air was congested with fear and insecurity following the government change. Among these prominent artists Alebachew Teka and Limenih Taddese were the most notable individuals.

Their short comedy plays have cracked a smile on our faces and brought a relief to the daily routine at the time when entertainment alternatives were non existent except the only Ethiopian Radio and Television.

Limenih Tadesse has character that makes him unique from his friend. To start with his dressing, his short brimmed kitchen pipe hat with short coated black suit was his signature wear. His fair complexioned face accompanied by the movement of his witty eyes witness the wealth of humor and comedy Limenih is gifted of.

One who came across his shows or plays never forgets this man of witty comedy. Though he and Alebachew were household names of comedy during their time, it wasn’t long before they disappeared from the stage. They went abroad and many years passed without hearing of them.

Their exile is excusable, since they had no additional means of making a living than the TV shows for which they weren’t even paid what they deserve. Their time wasn’t a bed of roses for a professional like them compared to the current market for comedians.

After long, Alebachew reappeared on the scene from his long stay in Israel pioneering the first talk show-Alebe Show. His homecoming raised another question of Limenih’s conditions and whereabouts. The questions incited public rumors; some claiming that he’s gone mad and some saying he became drug addict.

However, long after the rumors, news seemingly credible began to appear. And more recently his fans and friends opened a Facebook account to publicize the event prepared to fundraise the rescue of poor Limenih who is in dire conditions.

I could get no clear idea of what happened to this man of cherished personality and wit.

May God send him cure and a way out so that we can laugh with him again.

I really thank abesheet in giving us the current information on Limenih and on her previous concern of these lost celebrities in her post.

Join the facebook group in rescue of Limenih here

Even on Bloody Feet

The November 10 issue of Newsweek magazine has come up with an article by the legendary Haile Gebresilsie entitled, Even on Bloody Feet.

I couldn’t surmise whether Haile himself wrote the article or some consultant shaped Haile’s narration into a well-written magazine article. I don’t often come across an African writer on TIME.  And I think it is a great privilege for Haile to impart his thoughts and experiences as an international figure on such renowned magazines like Newsweek.

In the article Haile relates his situation in the then Ethiopia ruled by military dictators at the dawn of his professional career.

He recollects the event on which he appeared in an official competition for the first time. It was a marathon race and the 16 year old Haile Gebresilasie had decided to push on through, despite his frail figure and ordinary wears.

In his persistence through the race his ‘locally made shoes made of flimsy rubber and canvas were coming apart’ and the heat from the sun-baked pavement was beginning to burn his feet through his worn out soles. But he made it being one of the top 100 runners.

“I swore I would never run again, but a week later I was standing in front of the regional president and an Army colonel who were reminding the athletes of our patriotic obligation to persevere. Though perhaps not in the intended way, the meeting inspired me to keep running. Sometimes we persevere in spite of what we are made to suffer and sometimes because of it,” Haile Remarks

See full article on Newsweek

Teddy’s first court defense-‘Truth and dawn gets clear eventually’

On the celebration of the Ethiopian New Year Teddy Afro’s song “ Abebayosh” was heard everywhere. Out of every radio station, taxi and music shop, the song reverberated with its resonating beats reminding everyone of the sullen young musician in prison. “They better not remind us,” was the phrase that many utter sympathetically while anticipating how teddy would enhance the New Year extravaganza coupled with   the athletes victory, if he were free.

 

 

People seem to despair over teddy’s court preceding that not so much hope is conceived on his trial, despite the good wish in the heart.

 Teddy’s first court hearing in the New Year after its adjournment three months ago was on October 9, Thursday.

The trial was different from the previous ones in having a new presiding Judge and an assistant lawyer assigned to the former one, Million Assefa. The trial had been scheduled to hear Teddy’s defendant witnesses.

 At the beginning of the hearing, Teddy has given his word to the cournt. “I m charged with the case of someone who died when I am not in the country. The evidence tells that he died on 22-02-99 E.C and my passport shows that I returned to my country on 23-02-99 E.C,” he said.

 Eight defendant witnesses appeared and testified before the court while one of them, Dr Laspento, Head of Menilik II   Hospital Autopsy Department, returned without testifying. It is because the prosecutor have doubted the competence and credibility of the translators.

 In the testimony Dr Yirdaw  Ashagari, Former manager of Menilik II Hospital, gave to yhe court, the  autopsy examination was made by a Cuban doctor, Dr Lidya who was then working in the hospital. And she has written that the victim died on 23-2-99 when he actually died on 22-2-99 EC. The 7th defendant witness and an internist at Menilik II hospital, Dr. Kassahun told that he works in the position of the medical director in his   absence. He was requested & the by the prosecutor and police to change/correct the date on the autopsy document that he did according to the request on the assumption that it doesn’t charge the main contact. Sounds ridiculous, uh?

 Teddy’s three friends were also among the witnesses. They confirmed that he had been with them since his arrival at the airport until they departed on 3:00am. Mitiku Girma, who received teddy at the airport, remarked that Teddy was calling him repeatedly between 3:30am-4:00am, though he couldn’t answer for he was asleep. And when calling him on the morning he told him that his car had crushed on CMC road and asked to bring it to him. When he was trying to let the car be picked he was captured by police and went together to Teddy’s house, he added.

 Through Thursday’s trial, I think, a flickering light could be seen about Teddy’s   innocence. It’s said that “Ewinetna Nigat Eyader Yiteral” (Truth and dawn gets clear eventually).

 The court adjourned the trial to October 16, Thursday to hear the words of Dr Laspento with competent and credible translators.

 

OLF leaders coming to Addis

OLF (Oromo Liberation Front) leaders; Lencho Leta, Ababiya Jabir and Dima Negewo will come to Addis soon, according to Awaramba Times, a weekly Amharic.

 The Arbitration process spearheaded by Professor Efrem Yishak has extended its delegation to arbitrating OLF, that has long been a rival to established Ethiopian governments and EPRDF after its successful role in the release of CUD (Coalition for Unity and Democracy) leaders.

 It is reminded that OLF leadership has split into two factions two months ago that followed a discussion between the arbitrators and one of the factions at Hague, Netherlands from September 20-23.

 Professor Efrem, Pastor Daniel and an Ethiopian ambassador were on the side of the arbitrators at the discussion.  It is also learnt that they have reached at a consensus to hold their next meeting in Addis.

 However, some are questioning the government’s will of discussion only with the one faction of OLF in that it is showing its interest of getting political superiority exploiting the advantage of others’ weakness, as it had in the split of CUD  a year ago.

 

Amare Aregawi arrested

Owner of the renowned Amharic weekly, Reporter, Amare Aregawi was arrested on his return from USA on Friday. It is also learnt that he was taken to Gondar on Sunday. According to sources, he is arrested on the allegation of a supposedly commited offense in the recent news report published on Reporter concerning Dashen Beer Factory.

 

 

 

 

A former member of EPRDF/TPLF, Amare was manager of Ethiopian Television as the party overthrew Derg and controlled Ethiopia.

 

Despite the criticism and rebuke he throws at the government, many believe that Amare is an ardent Sympathizer and defender of EPRDF from his views and standpoints he often reflects in the editorial of Reporter, especially during Election 97.

 

Recently, his consistent objection of the newly drafted Press Law has got him the attention of the government and media stakeholders. However, the unanticipated ratification of the law seemed to have disappointed him.

 

Amare perhaps crossed the redline EPRDF marked in his insistent reprimanding of the sensitive media and press freedom issue

Tirunesh the lioness made it

The young, energetic agile and striding athlete Tirunesh Dibaba won the first gold medal for Ethiopia and Africa in women’s 10,000 race at the Beijing Olympic.she also broke the Olympic record long held by Derartu Tulu.

 

 

 

Despite her thin and delicate figure, Tirunesh exhorts an immense strength and vigor that Demissie Damte who was reporting from Beijing was compelled to call her “The Lioness” startled by her spectacular performance.

 

The victory of our athletes, especially at the Olympics, creates a significant sense of national pride and unity. Everyone celebrates the grandeur of Ethiopia at the Olympics. Their victory restores our ecstasy and cracks a smile of joy and pride in everyone’s face. Ethiopia’s Olympic victory brings to the fore the passion and synergy one fells for the country and the flag.

 

 

MORE WILL COME!