This is according to Mr Abdulletif Amee, one of the three Ethiopian lawyers defending Mr Juma without any legal agreement. The journalist was to appear in court on August 13 but the hearing was adjourned after Addis Ababa police reported that he had contracted the virus. However, Ethiopian police ignored the order and the Addis Ababa Police Commission appealed against it, raising questions about the court's supremacy. The rights group called on Ethiopian authorities to promptly bring credible charges based on clear facts and evidence against the detainees or ensure their release. "During the previous hearing, we argued that the appeal by Addis Ababa police had no legal basis and should be rejected,” Mr Juma’s lawyer said.

Source: Ethiopian News August 15, 2020 17:03 UTC