Ethiopians in the Diaspora held a worldwide rally in various cities calling for Freedom and Justice in their country.

They called for the immediate release of Judge Birtukan Mideksa, Artist Teddy Afro, Ato Bekele Jerata and all the political prisoners in Ethiopia.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament has passed a resolution on the situation in the Horn of Africa demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Birtukan Midekssa.

The EU Parliament “is outraged at the imprisonment of Birtukan Midekssa, leader of the opposition party Unity for Democracy Justice (UDJ), and demands her immediate and unconditional release” article 24 of the resolution on Horn of Africa reads.

AbbayMedia has pictures from the rallies in Washington DC, London, Stockholm, Brussels and Geneva.

The popular Ethiopian singer Teddy Afro has been sentenced to six years in prison for the hit-and-run death of a homeless man. The singer's attorneys are set to appeal the conviction.

After the Judge Leul Gebremariam ordered him to serve a six-year prison term and pay a fine of roughly $18,000, Teddy turned to the packed courtroom of friends and fans, smiled and pointed upward, in what friends said was a symbol of his trust in God, VOA's Peter Heinlein disclosed from Addis Abeba.

The reporter also noted that a heavy police presence outside the court complex prevented any demonstrations after the sentence was pronounced, but groups of young people milled around as news of the prison sentence spread. Most looked the other way when a reporter approached, he said.

Last Monday Teddy told journalists: "I never killed anyone, I didn't get justice from this court." as he left the court.

Addis Journal also reported that Teddy Afro's lawyer Million Assefa was sent to Kaliti prison on Wednesday with 50 days’ sentence for contempt of court. He was later released after the Federal Higher Court suspended the sentence.

Many ethiopians believe the charges against the popular singer were politically motivated. Demonstrations by Ethiopians in Europe and North America are being organized in the coming days. 

Please take few seconds to sign a Petition to Amnesty International & Human Rights Watch for Teddy Afro.

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He has become the first African-American to win the White House.

"To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn -- I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president too," he said.

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