Disclaimer: This is an English translation of an Amharic article taken from BBC Amharic and is intended solely for information purposes.
BBC Amharic – Under detention Ato Christian and Ato Yohannes received surgery following severe neglect, says their attorney
December 13, 2024
Following “repeated appeals”, federal and regional council members Ato Christian Tadele and Ato Yohannes Buayalew, accused of terrorist crimes, received surgical operations last Monday, says their attorney.
In connection with the state of emergency, in early August 2023 (Nehase 2015 E.C.) the parliament members were detained without their parliamentary immunity being lifted and after encountering health problems they were prevented from receiving timely medical treatment.
During their detainment in Awash Arba military camp, the House of Peoples’ Representatives member Ato Christian Tadele and Amhara Region Council member Ato Yohannes Buayalew, suffered constipation according to attorney Ato Solomon Gezahegne who spoke to BBC.
The parliament members were brought to Addis Ababa city for medical treatment however, before they could complete their treatment, they were sent back to Awash Arba, he said.
After eight months of detainment as their “condition worsened”, they were brought before court, says Ato Solomon, who adds that the court repeatedly permitted them to receive medical treatment.
The court sent an order to the Kaliti correctional facility for them to receive proper medical treatment however the court order was not respected, and the detainees were not taken for medical care on account of “security concerns” near the requested area of medical treatment.
“Especially over the past two, three months there has been a significant dispute between the court and the prison. The court would issue an order, and [Kaliti correction facility] the prison would provide reasons it would not fulfill the order.”
Ato Christian and Ato Yohannes personally inquired for care in a hospital called Meqrez and an eye clinic call Dima in the Kebena neighborhood of Addis Ababa, however they were neglected, says the attorney.
“The prison would say there are security concerns. The prison would respond to the court saying they could not take them until the security problem was resolved and the area could be secured” he said.
Ato Solomon said it “would not take a long time” to take the parliament members for medical treatment, who said after a long period, on Monday, December 9, 2024 (Hedar 30, 2017 E.C.) they received surgical operations.
Their doctors advised that they take a few days to rest for follow-up in the hospital after their operation, but the prison rejected this, saying hours after the surgeries were completed, they were taken to Kaliti correctional facility.
“After their operations the hospital wanted them to stay for a short period of observation to look after the ongoing bleeding. However, since the prison did not want this, they were returned to the prison within hours of receiving their operations.”
“They ordered that the doctors come in person if the prisoners’ faced bleeding. Outside of this it was not possible to receive any other solution” he said.
Ato Solomon Gezahegne says his clients’ repeated requests for medical treatment being delayed worsened their health conditions.
“They waited over two months, I believe it was because the medical treatment was delayed that it worsened. Ato Christian told me his eyesight had worsened because of the delay...what took place now is a result of the prison not fulfilling the court order in a timely manner to take them for medical care.” he said explaining that the medical treatment was late.
It can be recalled that on Ginbot 2016 E.C. (between May 9 to June 7, 2024) the head of Kaliti correctional facility was called on to appear before the court to provide an explanation to the court regarding treatment of the prisoners.
The Federal High Court, which is reviewing the matter of the parliament members ordered the Secondary Constitution and Anti-Terrorism Crimes Court prosecutor to amend the charges.
The prosecutor made an appeal to the Supreme Court, and the court is expected to pass its verdict next week.
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