The case of anti-poverty activists Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie was today not heard again as one of the three Judges in Ethiopia’s High Court was absent due to ill health. The case hearing is now postponed until November 30th, leaving Daniel and Netsanet in jail for at least another 8 days, as they were refused bail.

“Given that in April a senior judge said there was no case to answer, and that both men have been imprisoned for over 2 years, they should have been granted bail in the circumstances.’ said Kumi Naidoo, Secretary General of CIVICUS and Chair of Global Call Against Poverty sitting in the Addis Ababa court this morning. ‘Ethiopia is being deprived of the two people most committed to its progress, and in the context their skills and participation are very much needed.”

After more than 2 years of imprisonment Daniel and Netsanet, both coordinators of the Global Call to Action against Poverty in Ethiopia, are the last two accused in the high profile Ethiopian treason trial that originally charged 131 politicians, journalists, organisations and civil society leaders. They were due to hear the final verdict this morning at 9am GMT in Addis Ababa. They face charges of conspiracy to overthrow the government, specifically, “outrage against the constitution and constitutional order”.

Fellow GCAP campaigners in over 110 countries have been calling for their immediate release and sent messages of solidarity to the men. Amnesty International has declared both men prisoners of conscience.