Ethiopian dissident in U.K. granted bail after charges of terror offenses, case sent to jury trial

Tadesse Biru Kersmo

ESAT News (July 5, 2017)

A leading voice of dissent against the Ethiopian tyrannical regime and a pro-democracy campaigner who lives in exile in U.K. was granted bail after Scotland Yard charged him with terrorism offenses. His case was declared not suitable for a magistrate and was sent to a jury trial.

The charge against Tadesse Biru Kersmo include possession of articles about security, intelligence, urban guerrilla tactics and sniper manuals among others. His trips to Eritrea was also included in the charges but the description “attending a terrorist training camp,” in the British tabloid media has raised more questions than answers as the east African country has no such facility.

A judge concluded the case not suitable for trial before a magistrate and sent it to a jury trial.

“Chief Magistrate Emma Arbuthnot said the case was not suitable for trial before magistrates and sent the case to the Old Bailey for a jury trial. Kersmo was granted conditional bail subject to a £25,000 security and will next appear at the Old Bailey on July 20,” said a report by West Sussex County Times.

Tadesse Biru Kersmo is a pro-democracy advocate who writes and speaks against the Ethiopian brutal regime and teaches his people about how to stand up against tyranny. His computer was found to have been hacked by the Ethiopian regime, which led to a legal case against a regime known for using spyware, wiretapping and surveillance against pro-democracy activists and critical journalists. Kersemo escaped persecution by the Ethiopian regime and has lived in U.K. since 2009.