This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6171429.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Mengistu found guilty of genocide Mengistu found guilty of genocide
(40 minutes later)
Ethiopia's ex-Marxist ruler, Mengistu Haile Mariam, has been found guilty of genocide after a 12-year trial.Ethiopia's ex-Marxist ruler, Mengistu Haile Mariam, has been found guilty of genocide after a 12-year trial.
The former leader has been in exile in Zimbabwe since 1991 and was tried in absentia. Eleven co-defendants were also found guilty. The former leader was tried in his absence. He has been in exile in Zimbabwe since being ousted in 1991 and many fear he will never face justice.
Ethiopia's Federal High Court also found them guilty of imprisonment, homicide and confiscation of property. In a notorious campaign - known as the Red Terror - thousands of suspected opponents were rounded up and executed and their bodies tossed on the streets.
In a notorious campaign - known as the Red Terror - thousands of suspected opponents were rounded up and executed. Mengistu and dozens of his officials could face the death penalty.
Their bodies were then tossed onto the streets. All bar one of the other 72 officials also on trial were found guilty of genocide. Thirty four people were in court, 14 others have died during the lengthy process and 25, including Mengistu, were tried in absentia.
The judge is not expected to deliver sentences immediately. They could face the death penalty. AFRICA HAVE YOUR SAY We should not allow law makers to become law breakers. Being a former president does not make one sacrifice more for the state than the man in the street Besenty Gomez, Kitty Village href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4935&edition=1" class="">Send us your comments href="/1/hi/world/africa/6171927.stm" class="">Profile: Mengistu Haile Mariam
Thirty-four members of Mengistu's junta are in court and 27 more are being tried in absentia. Sentencing is expected on 28 December.
AFRICA HAVE YOUR SAY We should not allow law makers to become law breakers. Being a former president does not make one sacrifice more for the state than the man in the street Besenty Gomez, Kitty Village href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=4935&edition=1" class="">Send us your comments They were accused of killing thousands of people including the last emperor, members of the royal family, 60 ministers and top officials.
Ethiopia's Federal High Court also found them guilty of imprisonment, illegal homicide and illegal confiscation of property.
The evidence against Mengistu, who is nearly 70, included signed execution orders, videos of torture sessions and personal testimonies.The evidence against Mengistu, who is nearly 70, included signed execution orders, videos of torture sessions and personal testimonies.
Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has so far refused requests to extradite Mengistu to Ethiopia.
RuleRule
Mengistu was among low-ranking officers who came to power in 1974 when they overthrew Ethiopia's last Emperor, Haile Selassie. Mengistu's Marxist rule began in 1974, when he and a group of officials known as the Dergue, overthrew Ethiopia's emperor, Haile Selassie. The emperor had failed to come to grips with a poor harvest, and the situation escalated into a devastating famine.
The emperor had failed to come to grips with a poor harvest, and the situation escalated into a devastating famine. Mengistu soon emerged as the leader, and in the confusion following the emperor's death the government became embroiled in bitter clashes with students and leftist rivals.
The young officers formed a provisional military committee, known as the Dergue.
Mengistu soon emerged as the leader, shooting a fellow officer who wanted to make peace with the province of Eritrea, which was seeking independence.
In the confusion following the emperor's death the government became embroiled in bitter clashes with students and leftist rivals.
Mengistu responded by brutally suppressing the unrest.Mengistu responded by brutally suppressing the unrest.
Declaring Ethiopia a Socialist People's Republic, he turned to the Soviet Union, which backed him in fighting an invasion from Somalia.Declaring Ethiopia a Socialist People's Republic, he turned to the Soviet Union, which backed him in fighting an invasion from Somalia.
But the war in Eritrea rumbled on, and rebellion erupted in the province of Tigray.But the war in Eritrea rumbled on, and rebellion erupted in the province of Tigray.
Moscow re-armed the Ethiopian army, but it gradually crumbled until in 1991 the combined Eritrean and Tigrayan forces were on the outskirts of the capital, Addis Ababa.Moscow re-armed the Ethiopian army, but it gradually crumbled until in 1991 the combined Eritrean and Tigrayan forces were on the outskirts of the capital, Addis Ababa.
Mengistu then fled to Zimbabwe, where his friend, Robert Mugabe gave him sanctuary. Mengistu then fled to Zimbabwe, where his friend, President Robert Mugabe gave him sanctuary.
Mr Mugabe has so far refused requests to extradite Mengistu to Ethiopia.