Aggravated murder and crimes against the State or humanity...

Aggravated murder and crimes against the State or humanity are capital crimes. The President is empowered to commute capital sentences to life imprisonment. Those condemned to death have the right to appeal to a higher court and to petition for presidential clemency. Between 1974 and 1991, Lieutenant-Colonel Mengistu Haile-Mariam led the Dergue-Ethiopia military government - and subsequently became head of state. During this period, tens of thousands of political opponents were killed, in particular during the "Red Terror" campaign of 1977-1978. Hundreds of thousands of government opponents, including members of the Oromo ethnic group, former Imperial Government officials, student Marxists and peaceful critics were arbitrarily imprisoned. Torture of political prisoners was systematic and widespread. Since 1995 Mengistu Haile-Mariam has been on trial in absentia in Ethiopia for charges relating to crimes against humanity, including acts of genocide, unlawful killings, acts of torture and "disappearance" which took place between 1974-1991. The trials of 45 former members of the Dergue are still continuing in Ethiopia. A further 22 former members are being tried in absentia.