Habtamu Ayalew Teshome (Ge'ez: ሀብታሙ አያሌው ተሾመ) is an Ethiopian journalist and political analyst who was formerly imprisoned and tortured as an opposition leader in Ethiopia during the EPRDF rule. He analyzes the daily live Amharic Ethio 360 Ethiopian news broadcast from its headquarters in Washington D.C., through satellite TV, and social media since 2019. The TPLF–led EPRDF regime in Ethiopia claimed consecutive election victories for nearly three decades in the country that was described as a repressive ruling and condemned for a frequent crackdown of opposition parties, journalists, and dissidents. The regime announced wins for 2005, 2010, and 2015 elections with 99.6% and 100% victories in the latter two terms. During the 2015 election, international bodies reported a crackdown on opposition parties and their supporters. HRW reported difficulties for oppositions in registering candidates and acquiring funds, arrests, harassment, intimidation, confiscating their equipment, and denying permits. Closer to the election, the suspicious death of opposition members and candidates was also reported. In addition, the authorities arrested opposition leaders, including Habtamu and charged them with the Anti-Terrorism Proclamation (ATP). See ATP, for the abuse of the anti-terrorism law to persecute opposition.
Early years
Habtamu was active since his youth and enrolled in political programs organized by the ruling party. He then assumed a leadership position for an opposition, Unity for Democracy and Justice (UDJ) party and served in communications, activism, and overall campaigns until he was imprisoned in 2014.
Detention (July 2014 to December 2015) On 8 July 2014, Habtamu was detained at the prison in Addis Ababa. As required by law, police reportedly did not bring him before a judge within 48 hours of his detention, and he was not formally charged until late October, which is also another violation of the law. Defense Attorneys and families also alleged authorities for denying them visits.
Terrorism charges
Habtamu's terrorism charges were for allegedly providing support to an opposition Ginbot 7 party and which was designated a terrorist group by the ruling party. Reportedly, his charges involved both conspiracies for terrorism and incitement to terrorism. TPLF’s Getachew Reda accused the opposition for alleged engagement and connection to terrorist organizations. See ATP, for the abuse of the anti-terrorism law for persecuting opposition.
The 2009 Anti-Terrorism Proclamation (ATP) International bodies criticized ATP as a deeply-flawed law that the government abused to limit freedom of the press, silence voices, and persecute members of perceived opponents. The series of abuse that occurred ahead of the 2015 election was characterized as the manifestation of politically motivated hostilities. Amnesty International and other rights bodies reported that Habtamu was one of the political prisoners who was subjected to such terrorism charges and prolonged ill-treatment for nearly two years.