OTTAWA (CP) — The Conservative government of Canada says it will seek clemency for Bashir Makhtal if the Ethiopian government sentences him to death next week.
Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon says Canada has asked Ethiopia that Makhtal not face the death penalty. Makhtal is to be sentenced next week after being found guilty this week in Addis Ababa on terrorism-related charges.
Makhtal, born in Ethiopia, settled in Canada as a refugee and later moved to Kenya, opening a used-clothing business.
He was working in Somalia when Ethiopian troops invaded in late 2006 and fled back to Kenya, but he was detained along with several others at the Kenya-Somalia border.
He was charged with being a member of the separatist Ogaden National Liberation Front – an allegation he denies.
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FORUM | 4 Comments
Bashir Makhtal is an innocent man whose only crime is being an Ogadeni and the grandson of Ogaden hero Makhtal Dahir.Canada should help him by asking the Meles regime to free him unconditionally.Canada gives the Woyanne junta lots of money.
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August 1st, 2009 at 10:44 PM
There are thousands of Innocent Ogadenis slaughtered by the Woyannes and other thousands are languishing in jails not because of any wrongdoing but because of who they are-Ogadenis.Had it not been that Bashir Makhtal is a Canadian or his Family name( his grandfather was a tireless voice for the human rights of Ogadenis)he would have been just like those who are suffering in Ogaden wiyhout world outcry.There is no justice for Ogadenis and Bashir under the the TPLF. Than you ER and Elias for this concern of yours.We all fear for life of this innocent man.May the merciful Almighty God be with him.
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August 1st, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Evenif he did what they said, we have not believe them. If he did, I should support him as one of democratic citizen. Because he fought woyane for libration that would be referred by article 39 in the constitution.
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August 2nd, 2009 at 4:39 AM
Any Ogadeni that comes before any TPLF court is always guilt as charged.The Woyanne courts have a track record of 100% seccess rate against Ogadenis.Their most efficient judges are their ragtag army who are quick to deliver their verdict on innocent men,women,old and young in Ogaden.It`s a cruel joke to call this a court of justice.Canada should strongly demand for the release of this man.
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August 2nd, 2009 at 9:45 AM