Ethopian activist charged for terrorism over Facebook post

An Ethopian man, Yonathan Tesfaye, has been charged to court for terrorism over comment he posted on facebook. He was charged on Wednesday, by an Ethopian court for inciting violence and other terror related offences, citing Facebook post as evidence. If convicted, he could face a death sentence.

Yonathan Tesfaye, a former spokesman for opposition Blue Party, was detained by Ethopian security forces in December in connection with speaking against a possible land grab in Oromo by the Ethopian government. According to Amnesty regional chief, Methoni Wanyeki, this he said is not terrorism.

The Facebook post was made during the height of the violent protest in the Oromo community over an alleged plan by the government to grab their land. Right groups say the government is using terror laws to crack down on opposition.

If we allow this happen in one region, it surely will come to ours. We must speak out against any attempt to gag media (social media inclusive) freedom.