Ethiopian court jails June rally bombing convicts

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Federal High Court on Tuesday sentenced five individuals to prison terms ranging from five years to life, after they were convicted of involvement in throwing a bomb at a June 2018 solidarity rally for the then-freshly endorsed prime minister.

On June 23, 2018, a big rally was held at the heart of Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa to show solidarity with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

A bomb targeted Abiy and his entourage at a raised platform but was intercepted and went off amidst the crowd.

The prime minister was immediately rushed to safety and Abiy later that day in a televised message said it was an attempt at his life.

One man died and scores sustained injuries in the bomb blast.

The court gave one of the convicts a jail term of life in prison while the four others were sentenced to prison terms of five to 23 years, according to the Ethiopian News Agency.

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

On June 23, 2018, a big rally was held at the heart of Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa to show solidarity with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

A bomb targeted Abiy and his entourage at a raised platform but was intercepted and went off amidst the crowd.

The prime minister was immediately rushed to safety and Abiy later that day in a televised message said it was an attempt at his life.

One man died and scores sustained injuries in the bomb blast.

The court gave one of the convicts a jail term of life in prison while the four others were sentenced to prison terms of five to 23 years, according to the Ethiopian News Agency.