Ethiopia: Teddy Afro sentenced to six-years in jail
Jimma Times
The famous Ethiopian pop star Teddy Afro (real name Tewodros Kasahun) is sentenced to six-years in jail on Friday. He was convicted on Monday of a manslaughter of a homeless man and fleeing from a scene of a car accident, all charges he denied.
Some Ethiopians have condemned the conviction and the sentencing, claiming that it is politically motivated. Some of the 31-year-old Teddy Afro's songs have been critical of the government, particularly used by opposition supporters during the 2005 national elections in Ethiopia. Through out the years, he has often appeared on dozens of private newspapers in Ethiopia, with some of the papers facing charges and fines for publishing about him.
Recently, a visit to Ethiopia by another famous Ethiopain singer, Kemer Yousef, has become as controversial. The Canadian citizen and Afaan Oromo singer Kemer is also known for mixing anti-government songs about human rights and justice. And his recent performance in Oromia's capital in light of Teddy Afro's incarceration and imprisonment of several Oromos has angered many of his fans. Both of the singers often break ethnic barriers in Ethiopia and unite the people in this multi-ethnic country, by reaching to and entertaining a broad audience.
Some Ethiopians have accused famous singers like Kemer and Ali Birra for abandoning the messages and principles of their songs, which helped to launch their careers, once they go back to Ethiopia.
Teddy Afro was sentenced to five years in prison on his first charge and to a one year in prison on the second charge.
