The federal high court pronounced the acquittal of Taye Dendea upon exonerating him of two counts.
Taye Dendea, a former state minister, has been detained since December 2023.
The Federal High Court Lideta Branch passed a decision acquitting the former State Minister of Peace, Taye Dendea, of two counts and ordered him to contest a third. Taye is accused by prosecutors of “violating” Article 251/C and Article 257/G of the 2004 Criminal Law.
They said Taye wrote messages of “expressing support” on his social media page and circulated “propaganda messages in support of anti-peace forces” during his time as State Minister of Peace.
Prosecutors also charged Taye with breaching the Firearms Act for allegedly possessing “illegal weapons” in his former house, around Lideta sub-city of Woreda 6, which were found after a search. His family has been forcefully evicted from the house ever since.
Today’s decision was a review of prosecution evidence, which included witness testimonies and documentary evidence on the said messages of propaganda on social media. The court said one two allegations that dealt with the purported dissemination of propaganda were not criminal in nature.
The court ruled that Taye’s statements on social media and an interview with BBC Afaan Oromo were mere exercises in freedom of expression enshrined in the constitution. The court thereby acquitted Taye of all allegations without having him file a defense, local media reported.
Terror Propaganda
The jury acquitted Taye of the first two charges, but he was ordered by the court to answer to the third count of unlawful possession of a gun. Based on the ruling that the prosecution had adduced sufficient evidence to prosecute this matter, the court ordered Taye to enter a defense under the Criminal Procedure Code. Taye was denied bail on the remaining charge. The court was concerned about the potential sentence length and that Taye might not show up if he was released. Taye spoke about the alleged pressure put on his attorney. If his current attorneys are no longer able to represent him, the court offered to appoint a public defender.
Taye Dendea was sacked as state minister of Peace by PM Abiy Ahmed on 11 December 2023 following his unprecedented media engagement and social media posts where he made stern remarks criticizing the PM and his administration.
He was arrested the next day accused of alleged participation in terrorist activities during his tenure in a high-ranking position within the administration.
On December 11, 2023, PM Abiy Ahmed fired Taye Dendea as the state minister of peace following his sensational public appearances and scathing social media comments in which he attacked PM Abiy and his government. The next day, he was detained on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities while serving at a high level in the government.