에티오피아의 전 대통령 멩기스투 하일레 마리암 피고에게 12년에 걸친 재판끝에12일 집단학살 혐의 등에 관해 유죄판결이 내려졌습니다.
멩기스투 전 대통령은 1991년 현 멜레스 제나위 총리가 이끄는 게릴라 항의투쟁에 밀려 축출된후 인접국 짐바브웨로 도피해 그에 대한 집단학살 등 혐의는 결석재판으로 진행돼 왔습니다. 대령 출신인 멩기스투는 1974년에 쿠데타로
집권한뒤 1991년까지 잔혹한 독재통치를 하는 동안 학생과 정치활동가, 중산층 시민 등 5만 명을 살해한 혐의를 받아왔습니다.
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An Ethiopian court has convicted former President Mengistu Haile Mariam of genocide.
The 12-year trial of Colonel Mengistu ended today (Tuesday) in Addis Ababa, when a three-judge panel found him guilty of genocide and other charges.
The former dictator was convicted in absentia. He fled to Zimbabwe in 1991 after he was ousted by a guerrilla campaign led by current Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
Only 34 of the more than 70 people accused of atrocities were present in court today (Tuesday). Twenty-five were tried in absentia, while 14 others have died since the trial began in 1994.
Those convicted of crimes against humanity and genocide could be sentenced to death.
Mengistu's rule from 1974 to 1991 is considered among the most brutal in Africa.
An estimated 50-thousand people, including students, political figures and members of the middle class, were killed for opposing his regime.