ADDIS ABEBA – The Ethiopian Federal Government has identified a number of Ethiopian national defense forces [ENDF] top soldiers directly linked to ongoing crimes against humanity in the Tigray region, following pressure from members of the international community.
For the past eight months, ENDF soldiers, along with those from Eritrea and the Amhara regional forces, have been camping in the Tigray region, where they have unleashed the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. [TPLF]. However, reports show that the troops have also killed innocent civilians.
The war was triggered after an alleged attack by the TPLF in the Northern Command, and the subsequent firing of rockets at the Eritreans by the TPLF. Thousands of people may have died in the war, according to several reports from several international organizations.
According to state media Fana, the Minister of Justice outlined Dr. Temotivo’s activities related to investigations and prosecutions against TPLF as well as members of the national defense force who have been suspected of alleged crimes.
Attorney General Dr. Temotiwos said that through its leadership, the TPLF established the Tigray Military Command and this military outfit was organized, manned and led by retired generals from the Ethiopian National Defense Forces.
This illegal force had eight divisions and a mechanized unit and 23 regiments. The terrorist TPLF has played an active role in organizing and financing this illegal force, he said.
The TPLF also organized, armed and funded various armed forces in various parts of the country including the regions of Afar, Oromia, Amhara and Benishangul to destabilize the nation.
Dr. Gedion explained that on November 4, 2021, the illegal force organized by the TPLF group attacked the Northern Armed Forces. The illegal force also attacked the federal police in the city of Mekelle and other places and demolished several infrastructures in the region.
Federal prosecutors are currently getting such evidence registered by the federal court of first instance. Once we have completed the process of presenting this evidence and testimony, an appropriate indictment will be brought before the Federal Supreme Court.
The above facts that have been established by investigations constitute serious crimes. Several suspects who have been believed to have committed these crimes are believed to have violated the constitutional order, armed uprisings and civil wars are undermining the state’s defensive power and terrorist crimes.
The second focus of investigation and prosecution focuses on civilian murders and cases of sexual assault or rape.
Investigation of the above allegations has been carried out by various units. The military judiciary, regional police and prosecutors and the federal police justice system and investigators, as well as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission, have jointly conducted the investigation in parallel with the criminal investigation, Attorney General said.
Ethiopian national defense prosecutors and police have conducted their own investigation, and so far they have pressed charges against 28 soldiers suspected of killing civilians in places where there was no military necessity. The trial against these suspects is ongoing and things are expected to be announced shortly.
In addition, military prosecutors have brought charges against 25 soldiers suspected of sexual violence and rape. The trials against these suspects are also ongoing, he added.
So far, there have been four convictions and several investigations that are well under way, he said. Regional police and prosecutors have also received several complaints and sexual assaults in several parts of the regional state.
In connection with the Maikadra massacre, 200 witnesses were taken and after examining forensic results with the help of a medical team of forensic experts, the investigation team has found that more than 200 people have been killed and several victims have suffered serious serious injuries.
The investigation team has identified about 200 people who are believed to have participated in the commission of these crimes. While most of the suspects are believed to have fled to Sudan, about 23 suspects have been arrested and charges have been brought against the suspects at the federal Supreme Court, and their trial is already underway, he added.
He further reiterated the commitment of the federal government to ensure accountability for all violations of relevant local and international laws. Some horrible pictures published by the AP show photos of young people who have lost limbs and even hands in the ongoing war.
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