Ex-spy boss to be tried in absentia
Publish date: 13 May 2019
Issue Number: 823
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: Ethiopia
Ethiopia's fugitive former spy chief and 25 other intelligence agents have been charged with human rights violations. Getachew Asefa served as the head of the Ethiopia National Intelligence and Security Service until Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed removed him from the post last year as part of wide-ranging reforms. BBC News reports that Getachew is believed to be ‘hiding’ in his native Tigray region in northern Ethiopia. He will be tried in absentia.