ETHIOPIA: Verdict due in genocide case of Ethiopia's former Marxist ruler Mengistu Haile Mariam after 12 year trial

Ethiopia's former Marxist ruler Mengistu Haile Mariam faces a possible death sentence if he is found guilty on Tuesday (December 12) when the court trying him on genocide charges issues its verdict after a 12-year trial. Mengistu, living a reclusive but lavish life in exile in Zimbabwe, is accused of killing thousands through brutal purges and famine during his 17-year rule which began with the 1974 toppling of Emperor Haile Selassie. In the 1977-78 "Red Terror" campaign, the most notorious purge, suspected opponents were executed by garrotting or shooting. Their bodies were then tossed into the streets. For months in 1984, Mengistu denied that famine was ravaging Ethiopia's north and aid workers have recalled how he flew in planeloads of whisky to celebrate the anniversary of his revolution. One million people starved to death. Mengistu fled to Zimbabwe in 1991 after he was ousted by guerrillas led by now Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. He has been tried in absentia in Addis Ababa with 73 others. Some 40 officials are in jail while 27 are being tried in absentia. A few have died since proceedings began in 1992 and the trial formally started in 1994. The most prominent victim Mengistu is accused of killing was Haile Selassie, said to have been strangled in bed and secretly buried under a latrine in his palace. According to prosecution charges, the former officials also killed more than 1,000 people, including the execution of 60 top officials, ministers and royal family members by firing squad. The accused could be sentenced to death if found guilty of crimes against humanity and genocide, which Ethiopia defines as intent to wipe out political and not just ethnic groups. WAR CRIMES

ITN Source | December 12, 2006

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