Gov't Drops Charges on Ermias Amelga, Alem Fitsum, 62 Others

Feb 27 , 2020.

The Office of the Attorney General dropped charges pressed against Ermias Amelga, founder of Access Capital Services, and Alem Fitsum, a hotel developer, who were charged with alleged corruption crimes.

He is among the 63 defendants who were charged with alleged corruption and human rights violations as well as perpetrating violence and attacks. Biniam Tewolde, the former director at the Information Network Security Agency, and Christian Tadele, a spokesperson for the National Movement of Amhara (NAMA), are also on the list.

Many of the defendants were charged in connection with the Metals & Engineering Corporation (MetEC), committing human rights abuses while serving the state, the twin attacks in Addis Abeba and Bahir Dar in June 2019 and violence in Sidama Zone as well as Bensahngul Gumuz Regional State. All charges have been dropped for those who were not in top leadership positions, according to Zinabu Tubu, communications director at the Attorney General Office.

The announcement of dropping the charge was made yesterday by Nigusu Tilahun, head of the press secretariat at the Office of the Prime Minister. A week ago, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed held a meeting with the senior leadership members of the Prosperity Party's chapter for Tigray Regional State, who called for the terminations of charges against defendants.

PUBLISHED ON Feb 27,2020 [ VOL 20 , NO 1035]