Negotiating Makhtal's release is a priority for the Canadian government, he told Al Jazeera. When questioned, Tadesse refused to provide Al Jazeera with further details regarding the nature of the "terrorist crimes". Lorne Waldman, Makhtal's Canada-based lawyer, told Al Jazeera that Ethiopia had subjected his client to a number of extrajudicial measures: including an illegal extradition and torture. Authorities in Ethiopia did not acknowledge they had imprisoned Makhtal until July 2007, six months after his arrival in Addis Ababa, his relatives told Al Jazeera. Some 12,000km away from his prison cell in Ethiopia, Makhtal's absence in Canada continues to be felt every day, Abdi told Al Jazeera.

Source: Ethiopian News February 22, 2018 21:00 UTC