Thursday, October 12, 2006
Breaking News: Alemayehu tortured... Save Alemayehu!
Prominent businessman Alemayehu Fantu was severly tortured. He appeared before a court yesterday barely able to walk from the torture. Alemayehu was arrested last week. Police said he was suspected of distributing a calendar which contains the pictures of imprisoned CUD leaders and a call for their release. He was arrested after Mimi Sibhatu's Iftin published that he master-minded the printing and distribution of the calendar. A task force comprising eight investigators has been formed to follow up the distribution of Brehanu Nega's book and the calendar. All suspects who were detained by the task force were tortured. At least three were killed.
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39 comments:
this is becoming out of hand. Woyane betam abezitotal !!! The more they failed, the more they becoming desperate and act like wounded beastes.
Cool Z: we will notifye AI asap !!
People here are nothing more than gossip eaters and complainers, if you have the guts you would have done something about TPLF WOYANE BANDITS by now. But what is going on in Ethiopia is a sad reality that TPLF WOYANE Cadres have understood the Ethiopian people psychology so well that they don't mind continuing what they are doing, killing and torturing non-Tigre Ethiopians.
I hate to see people come to this website and shed crorcodile tears to those who are being tortured and killed needlessly. It has been over a year since the rigged election was conducted and there were millions of people marching with CUD Party, where are all those people now? TPLF WOYANE BANDITS AGAZI FORCES Murdered about 200 people, what does the Ethiopian people do? they get scared and start minding their own business. Let me remind people on this free discussion medium, you can cry a river and if your tear is not supported by action then you might as well stop complaining and crying. You all should start harmonizing yourselves and live under the tyranny of TPLF WOYANE RAING MOTHER ETHIOPIA. When a family member dies hope he/she will get justice from God and let go. That's the price for COWARDICE! Don't expect the angels to come down and fight for Ethiopian people freedom and win TPLF WOYANE BANDITS and give you the seat of the government, because that ain't gonna happen.
FREEDOM IS FOR THOSE WHO DESERVE IT AND WORK HARD TO ATTAIN IT, FOR THOSE WHO ARE PREPARED TO PAY IN BLOOD AND LIMBS. Ethiopian people don't deserve freedom, what Ethiopian people deserve is strong organization like TPLF WOYANE to take advantage of it. Sorry if I woke you up.
RealEthiopian
Real scum bug, Talk is cheap.I bet I wouldn't get five dollars from you to feed a pauper. So save the bravado for the bar room with your homies.
Make no mistake, these evil sobs will pay big time for their deeds. When the time comes very soon tell
melesegn agazim ayadegnew!
Mahlet
'RealEthiopia', why don't you tell us how you really feel about it? LOL What the hell??
This forum is nothing more than an outlet for people to vent their frustration and disgust with the Meles gov't. For you to accuse or ridicule anyone for their inaction makes you sound like well, the same pejorative you used on others, a coward. Who are you to pass judgment on anyone else? Could YOU yourself not be accused of being a coward for not doing anything? And how do you know people are not taking actions in their own way and privately? The fact that we are discussing issues here is a form of activism which can lead to some action, however little. .
Now, I'm not gonna tell you to STFU, 'cause believe it or not, forums like these are open to all, even you. I and most people here will defend your right to voice your opinion and even sound like an idiot doing it, that's you right. In case it hasn't dawned on you yet, that's what we are advocating for our country, free speech. But please, in the future, try and refrain from calling people names, because as articulate as you sound, you can come across as a rambling moron when you call people you don't even know names. And I am not calling you names here, but trying to help you. J
Just a brotherly advice from a 'FakeEthiopian'.
To last anonymous:
Thank you! You just saved me from posting some choice expletives that I had ready to the so called 'realethiopian'. Then I read your message and said to myself oh OK! Every one really has a right to express his opinion no matter how smart.
Good job EZ!
C'mon there is a difference between smart and a frifrai lekame smart aleck. If he tells me the butt naked truth about ALL the things HE has done to help the struggle all power to him for vomiting all over the Ethiopian people.
How I hate phantom arbegnas!
Mahlet
tateke ethiopia that is all i can say and ppl our of ethiopia get back and astateku! blood with blood is the solution!
I am doing everything I can from where I am at. I participate in meetings and organize groups to chip-in whatever we can. The problem is back home, the people have access to all the soldiers and TPLF WOYANE CADRES as well as their supporters. I have yet to hear one TPLF WOYANE CADRE killed or maimed, everything I hear is TPLF WOYANE is killing a real Ethiopian. That really upsets me we do what we can but there is no help inside the country. Everyone we ask for contribution wants results, and there is nothing we can show for. At least a TPLF WOYANE AGAZI soldier killed would give us something to to tell our partners and Ethiopians to chip-in. Where there is no result there is no money, we are left frustrated and can do very little. At the beginning of the riots we had many interested people who were willing to come for meeting and chip-in for money, but as time went by and the struggle lost its juice we too lost most of the people who were willing to stand with our people.
What we need is people who are dying back home not to simply die, at least they should take a TPLF WOYANE AGAZI soldier with them. That is all we are asking, show us the results so we can let the fire catch and get more help from Diaspora Ethiopians. When I wrote the earlier piece, I knew that I would get some reaction. The purpose of it is not to exchange insult with others here, the purpose is to tell you the truth and wake you all up and fight for your F R E E D O M! Remember, what melese said, "we came to power by force, if you want it force us out" that is what he said. What more do you expect from a blood thirst bandit? Election is not a solution, because it was all controlled by Melese and his closest beneficiaries. Did you expect he was going to lose and accept his loss?
What we need is genuine people wishing to fight for freedom, stop complaining. Next time I read this blog, I want to read that at least ten TPLF WOYANE AGAZI FORCES were killed in confrontation. That is what I wanna read, nothing else. Especially, I don't want people posting another Ethiopian death or torture. I want results, so I can sale the idea of supporting the momvement to other concerned citizens.
RealEthiopian
RealEthioian nailed right on the head.. We are turning into hodam abeshas. No one cares about no one else including self. How can someone lives a day without the revenge on his son, daughter, mother, father killer on the street. That is how much selfish Ethiopian are turning into.
I am sorry but that is the freaking truth.
Dear EZ,
Since you are at the source of the most detailed information, would you please be able to put together a brief but detailed and factual message, with a little bit of background on the matter, so that this could be expeditiously sent to Amnesty International and other international human rights orgs. On such cases, to have the maximum effect, swift action is of utmost importance as Amnesty can have strong impact when they act fast through their "Urgen Action" alerts.
Regards,
Inde Hewan
Amnesty International have already released message today.
I have to agree with realEthiopia. All we do is talk... and i really don't understand why Ethiopians in Ethiopia just accepts everything TPLF is doing. Where is the heroism of Ethiopians? What are people waiting for....We Ethiopians in Diaspora should also be more involved in action... How much resources would it take to establish an underground armed force in Addis to revenge the deaths of innocent Ethiopians?
Now you are talking. Action needs a lot of organisation. And it is only you people living outside the country who can do something about it. So it boils back to what has always been said before: we need to invest more in training camps for freedom fighters. There are thousands waiting for that opportunity.
Please we need a picture of Mimi sebhatu and her husband. Anyone who has a picture send it to www.flickr.com/photos/ethioinfo
ethioinfo: Good luck in your admirable pursuit. Mimi is so ugly and I think she has ever faced a camera in her life and even if she did, I think the shock is bound to crack the lens. You will have a much better chance if you hold a contest for ‘Artistic Renderings of Mimi’.
EZ
Is the torture story true? Family members indicate otherwise, or have they been threatened not to speak? It is important that we do not misinform AI. Please investigate carefully and confirm.
Last anon, we have already contacted AI and they have released statment yesterday.
1st anon.
Selam Ethio-Zagol,
Can you please scan the article from Eftin and post it for us? It always helps when you actually see the evidence. I knew Mimi in the States and I am horrified she can actually be this much vested in this government.
Thanks much. Really enjoy your blog.
It is a sad story to hear. I agree with Real ethiopian. I think most ot the majority people except Meles and his TPLFIan tribalist live a life that doesn't worse to live. Most people because of Meles's ethnic aparthied system and its resulst of poverty, unemployment and Aids live a life that't not worse to live. I know many people (including me) who lives in the diaspora willing to do any thing to fight this facist regiom. But, I'm very disappointed by people in back home. Not alone fighting at least they could use their humanly right to boycott weyanne businesses and involved in non violent movement. It sad how long we will wait while older people like the late Prof Asrat and the one now jailed Prof Mesfin, Engineer Hailu and Dr Hailue Araya..etc suffer in the hand of hateful sick tirbalist? Believe me if we don't united and do all military/non violent movement weyannes crime it's just started because weyanne and Mele's regime is a state within state regime with its own hidden hateful tribal agenda willing to do any mass genocide to stay power! So, let's do whatever it's possible from outside and inside!
To 1st anon,
I know AI has already released a statement on the story. However, it is important to verify the fact before notifying AI, otherwise AI's credibility will be eroded which does not help our cause. I just meant that next time we should really be sure before notifying AI.
2nd anon
Real ethiopian,
Touche! you are right on the money
on your last comment.
Ityopiawian wogenotche,
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE. RISE UP AND LIBERATE YOURSELVES FROM FASCIST TYRANNY!!!!!!!!!!!!
just wanted to share this e-mail
reply from a friend in Addis to my repeated questions why don't Ethiopians fight for their rights? since real ethiopian raised the issue it is worth reading.
i see ur point. i think the problem lies in our interpretation of life. moreover, our national psyche needs some overhauling. it is defective. there is also this "yegulit aradanet" i.e wishing to get freedom at the expense of others. we don't listen to each other. our style of conversation is foolishly argumentative and confrontational. admiting mistakes is the most shameful and humilating thing for many of us. somebody some years back said, "wey tarik washtual alyam tiwlid tebelashtual".it is i think babile tola in his book "to kill a generation" who said
"scratch any ethiopian and u find him to be a potential land lord". there is a hige discrepancy between what is written about we ethiopians and the facts on the ground in present day ethiopia. it is not out of frustration or disappointment i tend to blame my self and my fellow ethiopians. please don't misunderstand me. it is the truth. maybe a bitter pill to swallow for many of us. it is my critical observation. many of us think life is a simple beating of the heart. actually, it goes far beyond and deeper than that. u don't see many ppl trying to overcome defeat and accomplish worthwhile creative values in life. if weyane dismisses u from ur job, many of ur friends, acquaintances and even ur relatives like cousins etc tend to blame you for being an outspoken critique against weyane. some dare to say "tegebe, tekematele wagawin agegne". we are that much first class nuts. many ppl think the "loser" is at fault. i hear everyday in every corner dishonesty, fraud etc being applauded by many less than useless creatures. u hear ppl saying "ajire esat nat eko...lat lat adrga tefach. dirshawan wesedech". u hear also ppl mocking at principled and righteous ppl. u hear them saying " kil naw..alama alegn, ager, hizb tegoda eyale tejajilo kere. bet yelew. mekina yelew. genzeb yelew". i don't know how we can rectify these social ills. it is like a cancer. the chinese tried it in the most inhuman way i.e the infamous cultural revolution. i don't know how much they succeeded. just some thoughts of mine.
To the anonymous who is asking the veracity of the report:
Pick a phone and call Woreda 8 police station and ask whether a man in their custody is tortured...or you can call Alemayehu when he is released and ask for conformation.
Some people just don't get it! They try to play investigative journalism behind their PCs. To get this inofrmation out, people put their lives in enormous risk. If you aren't sure as to the truth of the information in this blog, please don't read it.This is an alternative media and its underlying philosophy is consent.
Anonymous with the email: thank you. you nailed it on the head. Our ethics played major role in helping woyane commit further damage.
Cool Z: don't mind the idiots. The people who greatly respect your work, barely comment here.
Berhanu
Excellent answer EZ
Some Ethiopians are getting politically and socially retarded the longer they stay in the US and think politics is run in front of a PC. Mimi Sebatu is just the perfect example and so are some of the posters here.
Thanks EZ thats a good answer. Ignore the weyanne people with hidden agenda. Good bless you and protect you! You're giving a great sacrifice! You're a great role model for all of us who afraid to contribute to the struggle or become selfish to live a worthless life. Keep up the good!
Thanks EZ thats a good answer. Ignore the weyanne people with hidden agenda. Good bless you and protect you! You're giving a great sacrifice! You're a great role model for all of us who afraid to contribute to the struggle or become selfish to live a worthless life. Keep up the good!
EZ,
I apologize deeply for upsetting you. I am one of the ppl who sent the information about the torture, including your article to AI, since friends of Alemayehu in the diaspora contacted me. After I notified AI, I called a friend of the family to offer my sympathies and was told by them that he was not tortured. By this time AI had already sent me their statement and I had distributed it to the various diaspora websites. I was worried thinking I misinformed AI, as I have had a long-standing connection with them, and put their credibility at stake. Please believe me,it is not that I did not trust your information, I just thought I may have rushed into it without receving more verification. I know the sacrifices you are making to keep us informed all the time and appreciate very much your selfless courage. I worry for you all the time and may God Almighty protect you from the sew bela Woyane government and bring their rapid demise.
last anonymous,
AI has their networks too. They don't depened on your everytime alerts. If you remember, a while back, they used to keep us updated about the courts daily and weekly progress too. If you already know Alemayehu's family, why in a hell would you depend on only Zagol's information ?? If I know Alemayehu and his family personally, I would call them first than anything. When AI sent its alrert news, it doesn't sent it only to you, the "lone ranger wannabe" but to group of activists' emails, that would include the diasporra media editors too. For instance, EMF is nothing but a well connected groups of journalists all over the globe. Do they use their network to their full potential or not, is another thing.
Also, don't you know zagol has an email account too ?? it is seminaworq@yahoo.com, as he has it made public in the past. If you have things that are not clear to you, you would email him as most of us have been doing so.
here is a person, who have "a long standing relationship" with AI - meaning very reliable, experienced activist; who even claim to have a contact with the victim's family..... what kind of bs does it look like, when this individual would just depened on the info from a blogger he never met before ???
anonymous (most probably a somewhat "sophisticated" Woyane cadre) says:
"..I am one of the ppl who sent the information about the torture, including your article to AI, since friends of Alemayehu in the diaspora contacted me. After I notified AI, I called a friend of the family to offer my sympathies and was told by them that he was not tortured..."
I bet you are lying. This is the treachery and duplicity of Woyane at work. You are simply revealing the depth of your ignorance in full view of the public. All you need to do is to push a button and then Amnesty International comes out with a statement the next day. Simply laughable! How pathetic!
THIS IS FOR THOSE IN DOUBT OF THE EXISTENCE OF TORTURE IN ETHIOPIA AND TO THE PERSON WHO WAS TRYING TO UNDERMINE WHAT ALEMAYEHU FANTU HAS GONE THRU.
Businessman tortured for links with opposition
NAIROBI, October 14, 2006: Human rights group Amnesty International accused Ethiopian police Saturday of torturing a leading businessman and said they may have killed three others for distributing an opposition calendar.
Ethiopian officials were not immediately available for comment on the claims.
Amnesty said Alemayehu Fantu, who runs a chain of large supermarkets, is believed to have been subjected to electric shocks after being caught with a calendar containing pictures of jailed opposition leaders and calling for nonviolent civil disobedience to secure their release.
Three other men are believed to have died while being tortured by police, according to London-based Amnesty.
The businessman has appeared in court although has not yet been charged or allowed access to lawyers, Amnesty said.
"There were clear signs that he had been tortured, such as bruises and marks on his feet. Sources indicate he may have received electric shocks," a statement from the group said. "Amnesty International is extremely concerned that Alemayehu Fantu is at risk of further torture in detention."
"Anonymous said...
just wanted to share this e-mail
reply from a friend in Addis to my repeated questions why don't Ethiopians fight for their rights? since real ethiopian raised the issue it is worth reading.
i see ur point. i think the problem lies in our interpretation of life. moreover, our national psyche needs some overhauling. it is defective. there is also this "yegulit aradanet" i.e wishing to get freedom at the expense of others. we don't listen to each other. our style of conversation is foolishly argumentative and confrontational. admiting mistakes is the most shameful and humilating thing for many of us. somebody some years back said, "wey tarik washtual alyam tiwlid tebelashtual".it is i think babile tola in his book "to kill a generation" who said
"scratch any ethiopian and u find him to be a potential land lord". there is a hige discrepancy between what is written about we ethiopians and the facts on the ground in present day ethiopia. it is not out of frustration or disappointment i tend to blame my self and my fellow ethiopians. please don't misunderstand me. it is the truth. maybe a bitter pill to swallow for many of us. it is my critical observation. many of us think life is a simple beating of the heart. actually, it goes far beyond and deeper than that. u don't see many ppl trying to overcome defeat and accomplish worthwhile creative values in life. if weyane dismisses u from ur job, many of ur friends, acquaintances and even ur relatives like cousins etc tend to blame you for being an outspoken critique against weyane. some dare to say "tegebe, tekematele wagawin agegne". we are that much first class nuts. many ppl think the "loser" is at fault. i hear everyday in every corner dishonesty, fraud etc being applauded by many less than useless creatures. u hear ppl saying "ajire esat nat eko...lat lat adrga tefach. dirshawan wesedech". u hear also ppl mocking at principled and righteous ppl. u hear them saying " kil naw..alama alegn, ager, hizb tegoda eyale tejajilo kere. bet yelew. mekina yelew. genzeb yelew". i don't know how we can rectify these social ills. it is like a cancer. the chinese tried it in the most inhuman way i.e the infamous cultural revolution. i don't know how much they succeeded. just some thoughts of mine.
12:27 PM"
Thanks for recognizing this retiring culture we have developed over the past two decades or so. I knew that we are not keeping up with our past history, in a way this generation is a dead generation. For God sakes how on earth not even 5% of the people have a strong hold on the whole Ethiopian people? Throughout history we Ethiopians are known for our bravery and selflessness. Were our historians lying to us? Were we pussies like this throughout our history? I am ashamed to be Ethiopian! I REALLY AM!!! I totally agree with those of you that nailed the traits of today's generation Ethiopians that we have become this vicious historyless selfishes 'only for me' kind of people. I don't even know what to say except to be wallowed into a disappointment.
I am writing this again to show my frustration with the people inside the country. You have your children killed in front of you like animals; you have your brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts and friends. There is no justice at the end of your tribulations, to make your agony feel more they are imprisoning your leaders and businessmen, torturing them in jails. What more are we expecting from these MURDERES? Is there not a man in the country? Is there not a patriotic Ethiopian in the country? Where is that patriotic feeling you showed during the election? After having killed all those young people do you have to betray them like that? No one is able to avenge their death? Where are the families of the victims? Where are the relatives of the victims? There is no ETHIOPIAN TO STAND UP and say enough is enough? In few months time you will have no country to fight for, because TPLF WOYANE is pillaging the economy that by the time we receive the country there will be nothing left to die for.
Once again I am attempting to draw the ANGER & RAGE from the sleeping Ethiopians who accept and serve TPLF WOYANE whose aim is to take economic advantage for as long as they can. Do you know what they discussed in their recent highly secured meeting? TPLF CC and their supporters agreed to continue to RAPE MOTHER ETHIOPIA FOR AS LONG AS THEY CAN!!!!! They say even if there is an ethnic war to start they told each other to pretend as if nothing is happening. This is intended to show ETHIOPIANS that they are fearless and they will kill many more if they have to. How can ETHIOPIANS fall for such tactic? No matter what happens in ETHIOPIA they agreed to be on the same page of intimidating REAL-ETHIOPIANS to submission.
The funny thing here is they know they are going to be evicted, the problem is WHO IS GOING TO STAND UP WITH US TO EVICT THESE MURDERERS and ETHNOCENTRIC FASCISTS? They are daring us to evict them and we the Ethiopian people are sitting idle to that dare. I SAY IT IS TIME TO STAND UP AND RECLAIM OUR COUNTRY FROM THESE BANDITS! We all must realize that yesterday it was our compatriots; today it’s our neighbor but tomorrow is our turn to be imprisoned and may be MURDERED in the street like animals by a sharpshooter from roof tops. Lets not be afraid of getting dismissed from work, OUR EXISTENCE IS UNDER A SERIOUS THREAT, what good is it to have a job when your son or brother is killed? HOW MUCH MONEY IS A BROTHER OR A SON? for speaking his/her mind on the violation going on, people start ridiculing that person as to it is the losers fault for standing up to TPLF WOYANE silencing treatment. The main aim of TPLF WOYANE is to strengthen their base with more control over Ethiopian economy. They are doing a heck of a good job in that regard. But what we all must understand is that even we throw them out they will still control most of the resources.
One thing that we need Ethiopians inside the country to do is as suggested by one brother above stop associating with TIGRES ALL TOGETHER, they are taking stand for their benefit and we have to take stand for our benefit!
1. Boycott all TIGRE TPLF WOYANE businesses
2. Stop working for TPLF WOYANE related company
3. Every non-tigre Ethiopian leave the military and find something to do for the time being, because once we overcome them you will have all the things you want including a decent job.
4. Whenever possible raise arms and confront TPLF WOYANE SECURITY FORCES everywhere
5. Help with supply and intelligence to Patriotic Ethiopians who are fighting in the hills and valleys as well as Ethiopian jungles
RealEthiopian
we are just checking your website
Please donate pictures of mimi sebhatu and all tplfites to www.flickr.com/photos/ethioinfo. Mimi lived in the US most of the 80's and 90's. Someone has a picture of her somewhere. Also her friend Annete somebody who used to be voa's africa editor and married to a former eprp official who killed himself. Anette works for meles now. We have to expose these people. Please help.
mimi is now controlling ethiopia radio and fm 97.1 she is working togeather with the wife of the prime minster both are stupid Can you imagin the nation lossing the best and brightest journalists because of mimi The rest of the nation must wake up and fight Death to mimi
let me tell you somthing Mimi is working togeather with the newiy appointed ethiopia radio manger solomom tesfaye he was infrmatin bureay head at awassa there he gav the contract of sothen fm to mimi and they ate the money now he is in addis giving evry pice of ethiopia radio and fm 97.1 to mimi suprisingly solomns sister emunesh tesfya is head of mimis fm programme
RealEthiopia, I wrote a long response to your post, taking it point by point and as I read, but I realized that not only are you naive in your tirade, but you are also delusional! My God, are you delusional?
One comment I want to make at this point is, aren't you being a little bit disrepectful to the families of the people who have been killed and continue to get killed by this regime??
I normally refrain from making comments like the one I am about to make, as it is more of a last resort to a discussion and is used when one is cornered with a counter point than a logical question. But in your case, I think it is entirely appropriate since you brought it on yourslef. WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE THEN? If you feel so strongly about the issue, why don't you go and organize a revolt and participate yourself?
"realethiopian" do you know the sacrifice paid by Ethiopians for the past several decades?
You seemed you don't.
Is the solution by killing each other?
Is the solution Kinijit in power?
To real Ethiopian:
What u writes is so stupid…….u thinks and write as the TPLF/EPRDF wants u to think.
First, there should no distinction between people living inside Ethiopia and people living in Diaspora. All of us r Ethiopians. All of us have one life. If what u think is Ethiopians living inside Ethiopia would fight the fight by their blood and u in Diaspora will manage to collect money for them, it is cruel(inhuman) and it implies u value ur life more than other ppl live inside Ethiopia…..don’t talk too much….act…..I challenge u to come and fight the woyane.
Also I strongly disagree on ur opinion about Tigrian Ethiopians. What is ur difference with the TPLF. They r racist, so r u. Don’t be so emotional……think twice before u wrote a non sense.
The tigray people are not the enemy. The tigray people are the victim just like other Ethiopians. Identify ur enemy. Our enemy is not this or that nation/nationality…..it is a group……the MELES led government.
The meles government wants Ethiopians to think that the Tigryans r the enemy or this nation/nationality is the enemy of the other…..it is part of his divide and rule scheme. Woyane loves to trap big fishes like u. I think ur hatred serve the woyane more than u think…..The woyane charges many Ethiopians with intention of ethnic cleansing (genocide)…….the woyane would be a laughing stock if ppl like u where not available to support the Meles government ridiculous views or charges.
The Ethiopian ppl is the same as any other ppl…..the only thing we need to fight the woyane is good organization and devoted leadership. The leadership has to base inside Ethiopia and lives the patriot’s life. The foreign affairs of the struggle have to be under the command of the struggle inside Ethiopia. We don’t need anymore leaders like Mengestu or Meles. We deserve a better leader.
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