Addis Ababa, Monday, 06 June 2011 – Former Derg officials, whose death sentence was reduced to life imprisonment, expressed their remorse and gratitude to the public.
President Girma Woldegiorgis last week announced the act of clemency to 23 former Derg officials convicted of genocide in 2008.In an exclusive interview with WIC, Fikreselassie Wegderes, Legesse Asfaw, Melaku Tefera, Tesfaye Woldeselassie, Fisseha Desta and Debela Dinsa said that they are ready to individually apologize to each victim.“I take full responsibility for all the inhuman acts committed by the Derg regime,” Tesfaye Woldeselassie (Col.), former Security Minister of the regime, told WIC. “We are grateful for the act of clemency”. Former vice president of the regime, Fisseha Desta (Col.) expressed his belief that the public would be able to truly forgive them. “We deeply regret and extend our heartfelt apologies to the society,” he said, a sentiment shared by Legesse Asfaw (Cpt.), former member of the polit-bureau and head of the transitional administration of Tigray.
“Our plea for forgiveness stem from deep regret,” Legesse told WIC.
Expressing their delight for the act of clemency, the regime’s former Prime Minister, Fikreselassie Wegderes (Cpt.) and Debela Dinsa (Col.), said they have been looking for a way to publicly apologize to all the victims.
“We are grateful for the act of clemency,” they toldl WIC.
The former Derg officials remained behind bars since 1991. Deputy Director of the Addis Ababa Prison Center, Abraham Woldaregay, told WIC that the convicts have learned a lot during their stay at the correction center.
“I am sure it will not be difficult for them to live amongst the society,” Abraham told WIC. We regret to inform our readers the passing of Tesfaye Woldeselassie last Saturday, June 4, 2011. This interview was conducted on Friday, June 3, 2011.
source..waltainfo.com
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