September 13, 2001. The third day of the inhuman and horrifying carnage in the United Sates of America committed by terrorists that do not have any respect for humanity. The whole world is angered by the cowardly act of the terrorists and extending its support and condolence to the American people. It is extremely saddening to hear that on this third day of the terrorist attack on Americans the Ethiopian government has sent one American of Ethiopian origin to its dungeon.

His name is Solomon Mezgebu. Solomon is an American development professional of Ethiopian origin who left for Ethiopia from Boston-- a historically famous place for freethinking and good schools, like Tufts his alma mater-- and who was denied to exit Ethiopia in August 26 and detained in September 13, 2001. He earned his Masters from the School of Nutrition Science and Policy of Tufts University (Boston) in 1997, and he is still a PHD student at the same university and went to contribute his expertise and give something back to the people of Ethiopia. His safety is now threatened by the repressive regime in Ethiopia—one of the worst governments in the world for an atmosphere of social and political intolerance.

In November 1999, he volunteered to work as CEO and Chairman of Tigray Development Association (TDA), an indigenous Non Governmental Organization (NGO), in Ethiopia that operates in the northern part of the country called Tigray. Solomon was elected by the General Assembly of TDA to serve as the chairman of the organization for monthly pay of about 300 Dollars! Against the will of his close relatives and friends he accepted the challenge and started working full time for TDA in the town of Mekelle starting March 2000. He left the USA with strong enthusiasm that he will contribute, even if it meant delaying his research for his PHD, for improving the living condition of the people in Tigray where poverty is the norm for millions of families. He was even using his meager savings earned in the USA to cover his costs of living in Ethiopia. His own willingness to sacrifice material benefit and to go beyond the call of duty was a continual example to people who knew him closely.

Solomon is a development worker both by training and occupation and not a politician. However, over the last five months he found the overall milieu extremely hostile for anyone who wants to have an independent working atmosphere. Government officials became a stumbling block to discharge his duties. Despite his determination to work for the three years term, the stifling condition forced him to resign from the institution he worked hard to ensure its independence and focus only on development challenges such as HIV-AIDS which he champions. He informed the Board members his intended resignation effective October 2001 and agreed that they will be calling for a General Assembly (GA) meeting.

Meanwhile he wanted to come back to the US and pursue his studies till the GA meeting. On Sunday August 26, 2001, the day he was suppose to catch the Ethiopian Airline plane heading for USA, he contacted the Ethiopian Airlines to reconfirm his flight which he booked weeks earlier, only to find out that his booking was canceled-presumably by the security forces of the government. He then bought another ticket when the airline officer told him that they still have a seat in a Business class. On Sunday August 26, 2001, he went to Bole airport in Addis Ababa. Three cars and a sport utility, all with private plates and with security forces inside them were following the car he was in. After arrival at the airport and got a boarding pass he headed for the passport control where the immigration officers were waiting for him, took his passport without any court order and told him he can not board the plane. He recollected his luggage and went back home-still being followed by the same security forces.

After denying him his right to exit the country, government officials started pounding their propaganda to confuse the public that he is leaving before being audited and handing over property. The only property of TDA he had in his custody were a cell-phone, a car and a laptop, which he has already handed-over before his intended departure. This is an excuse and a design for public consumption and would not stand a simple scrutiny. In addition, government agents and their operatives within TDA intimidated TDA employees not to give him receipts for the properties he has handed over.

In the afternoon of September 13, 2001, security agents of the rogue government in Addis Ababa detained him and took him to the infamous "Maekellawi" (meaning Central) prison where they keep prisoners of conscience. For his family and friends in the United States to hear this news on the third day of the terrorist attack is extremely saddening; and we never thought the Ethiopian government will do such unlawful act on a difficult time to all Americans.

No one can be certain regarding the next move of the government. It is not the first time for the Ethiopian government to jail intellectuals who went from the US to the country to contribute their expertise and give back to the community they grew-up. Dr. Berhanu Nega, an economist who was trained in the United States and went to Ethiopia in 1994 was jailed in May 2001 "for inciting a riot". It took several weeks of international pressure for the Ethiopian government to release him on bail. Another young man, Eskinder Joseph, a florist and who went to Ethiopia in 1991 with the ambition of helping his country through his expertise acquired in the USA for ten years was arrested on unsubstantiated charges of corruption about fourteen weeks back and has been denied bail. Eskinder was earning millions of dollars in export money for his hard-press and debt burden country.

We call upon the State Department and the US Embassy in Addis Ababa to use every means possible to persuade the Ethiopian government to release Solomon Mezgebu, and guarantee his travel rights to the USA. We also call upon the Ethiopian government to stop its wanton assault on freedom of humankind and join the civilized world!

Concerned Americans of Ethiopian Origin