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LONDON - Ethiopia's former dictator, Mengistu Haile Mariam, who killed thousands of political opponents and ignored a famine which killed one million, has been found guilty of genocide in an Ethiopian court.
The Marxist was tried in absentia during the 12-year trial after fleeing to Zimbabwe following the collapse of his rule in 1991. Human rights groups said there were concerns over the trial's fairness, but said it was important that victims felt that justice had been done.
Mengistu came to power in 1974 after Emperor Haile Selassie was overthrown. He instigated a purge of political opponents that became known as 'Red Terror'. Suspected opponents were rounded up. Some were shot, others garrotted - the bodies thrown on the streets.
Mengistu is expected to be given the death penalty when he is sentenced on December 28, but is likely to live out the rest of his days in relative luxury in Zimbabwe.
- INDEPENDENT
