Court previously dropped charges against five other members of Zone 9 group, which has published articles criticising government policy

An Ethiopian court has acquitted four remaining members of a blogging group tried on terrorism charges.

The four, from the nine-member Zone 9 group that has published articles criticising government policy, were arrested in April 2014 and accused of plotting to commit terrorist acts and attempting to incite violence. Supporters say the charges were meant to silence dissent.

“They have all been acquitted of their charges related to the anti-terror law on a no-case motion,” said their lawyer Ameha Mekonnen.

Relatives said they expected three members of the group to be released on Friday. Befekadu Hailu will remain in custody as he still faces sedition charges, the lawyer said. A bail hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.

Friday’s acquittals come four months after the same court dropped all charges against five other Zone 9 members.

One year on, jailed Ethiopian bloggers are still awaiting trial Read more

Critics say Ethiopia uses security threats as an excuse to stifle dissent and media freedom. An anti-terrorism law passed in 2009 stipulates that anyone publishing information that could incite readers to commit acts of terrorism can be jailed for up to 20 years.

Authorities have said the charges against the group related to “serious criminal activities” and had nothing to do with muzzling the media.

In May the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front won a parliamentary election in which the opposition complained of harassment.