Mengistu sentenced to death in his absence - Bloodthirsty tyrant saved by US and shielded by Mugabe

73 people put on trial for genocide in Ethiopia , and after a 12 year trial 25 including Mengistu Haile Mariam were tried in absentia, another 14 died during the case and one man was acquitted. 33 defendants were in the Addis Abba court for sentencing in January 2007.

Many Ethiopians expected the absent Mengistu Haile Mariam and his closest officials to get the death sentence and it was clear the presiding judge wanted this.

But in the end the three judges could not agree and eventually decided on leniency (due to age if the defendents it was said) handed down life sentences. Chief prosecutor Yosef Kiros immediately appealed the highly unpopular sentence.

Ethiopia's Supreme Court yesterday overturned his appeal to last year's ruling by the High Court sentencing Mengistu and 18 of his most senior aides to life in prison. They were all sentenced to death - including the absent Mengistu Haile Mariam .

Two of Mengistu's political associates who were sentenced to death live in the Italian embassy compound in the capital, Addis Ababa, where they sought refuge after Mengistu fled. 16 other defendants are in jail in the capital.

Zimbabwe will not extradite Mengistu, but should the political situation change, 73 year old Mengistu's fate could alter dramatically. No doubt the US Embassy will ensure his safety as they did when they ensured his safe flight, and that of his cronies in 1991.

According to the Independent today the Movement for Democratic Change MDC stopped short of pledging to extradite Mengistu should its leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, win next month's Zimbabwean presidential run-off. Tsvangirai's MDC in late 2006 said it would withdraw the protection afforded by Mugabe's government.

For more see - Friday, May 16, 2008 US Ambassador in Harare , James McGee is a fucking hypocrite. Hank Cohen revealed

See also WSJ article Arrest this Man