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News & Events
Ethiopia's 'Red Emperor' sentenced to death
26.05.2008
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Ethiopia's exiled former dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam, who was sentenced to death Monday, oversaw the 1977-78 "Red Terror" when tens of thousands were tortured, murdered and disappeared.
Now 71 and living a comfortable life in exile in Zimbabwe, the man who came to be known as the Red Negus ("emperor" in Amharic) was convicted in December 2006, after a marathon trial, of genocide, homicide, illegal imprisonment and illegal confiscation of property.
The purge of politicians, intellectuals and other perceived foes came as his regime began trying to transform imperial Ethiopia with its ancient Christian heritage into a Soviet-style workers' state.
Facts
- August 6, 1940 - Estonia became a part of Soviet Union
- From June 1940 until August 1941, more than 7000 Estonian citizens were arrested
