Ali-Abdu-testimony

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31. Since 2007, as the Eritrean President became more and more autocratic, the punishment endured by the long suffering Eritrean people has became intolerable. The country was being emptied of its productive youth, so much so that we got to the point where old people were being armed and veteran Generals were speaking of change in veiled terms. I had been planning a way to separate myself from the regime since 2007. But I have spent a lifetime putting the interests of others above mine – it is the responsible thing to do. I tried to arrange for the travel of my friends and colleagues who I felt were in danger of losing their lives and liberty. I had a wide network of people to whom I felt responsible and I wished to ensure that they were out of the country before I myself fled. 32. One of the most prominent is a man named Tadesse Teame, a scientist, a genius, who I was sure was going to be killed. The details of the situation are not as important as the overall fact that the Eritrean President believed the details and, believing them, would kill him and eventually me. 33. Teame was an electrical engineer and had discovered upon a scientific way to cure people. He came to me in 2006 or 2007 and proposed his scientific invention which has particular a significant health considerations and benefits. When I asked him why he was telling me – a Minister of Information – about his discovery, he said that it was because he believed that I would be the next President and that he wanted to be sure that his breakthrough discovery would have support at the highest Government level. Sceptically, I questioned his invention, which he proposed would cure ‘uncurable’ diseases. Since I had been vice-chair of the National Eritrean Youths and Student Association, I had been very interested in finding such cures for the people of Eritrea. Of course I was sceptical, but I was interested. And I nurtured him for five years. I promised him to support him as long as we kept it confidential. 34. His discovery had great success. He is a one in a million genius. Later in 2011 our working relationship was bought to the attention of the Eritrean President who told him that he should, henceforth, discontinue all communication with me and report directly to him. He was offered some special assignments within the government and $400,000. From what I hear, the President needs the invention to help himself. This, if true, is a great national secret. The President then approached me and asked me “Why did you keep it a secret I am the Head of State’. I told him that it must be proven first. In any event, the Eritrean Defece Minister – Sbhat Efrem – told me that he believed the likely outcome for my friend Tadesse would be that he would be killed for his invention. And then I would be killed. I felt a special obligation to get this scientist out of the country, and I did. He now lives safely in Amsterdam. 8
35. It is only when my own personal safety and life was in danger, and only after I felt I had done everything I could to arrange for the travel of friends and colleagues, that I finally felt comfortable to come forward and do what I have been planning to do for a long time: ask for political asylum in a country that respects the human rights of human beings. 36. In October and November (after being told that the President was going away and that I would be arrested or killed while he was out of the country) I travelled around Europe, Canada, and finally Australia. As a Cabinet Minister with a Diplomatic Passport, I was able to create special assignments and told the Office back home that I was working on these assignments and had to remain out of the country. I couldn’t stay in any city or country for more than a month without arousing suspicions, so I travelled – I squeezed medical care into my excuses too. I have cardiac issues. 37. This is how I was able to move from Dubai to Europe – Germany and Sweden – to Canada. While in Canada I was able to see my family for one week. My wife and my son who is disabled fled to Canada four years ago. They were being persecuted because of me and in fear for their lives they left Eritrea. When they arrived in Canada, my wife had to throw away her passports and change her name. She has been so petrified that somebody in Canada would find out her true identity- that she is my wife – and then they will hunt her down. In fact, the Government supporters led by a PFDJ spy named Estifanos has tried to eliminate her. I have proof of this. They have now been hiding for four years under aliases. They have a green card in Canada under these different names. If my country had found out that I’d sent them overseas we would all be in great trouble because it is illegal in Eritrea to send your family abroad. 38. And finally, I arrived in Australia. Meanwhile, I was busy trying to get people in network out of Eretria. I was giving passports away to all the people who needed help. That is how I managed to get them out of the country. My chief engineer – Daniel Kiflom – is now asking for asylum in the UK. My partner and good friend for over 25 years Michael Adonai – a prominent artist and fine art ambassador - (who I shared all my secrets with) I helped him leave the country and he is now seeking asylum in Australia. My network facilitator, Nur <strong>Abdu</strong>, is currently in Dubai. The scientist Taddesse is currently in Holland. A laboratory technician has fled to Sudan. Colonel Fitsum from Eritrean National Security is now in Sweden. And there are others who I have managed to save in the last 6 weeks. Because, as a leader I should be responsible. And in order for me to save these people, I had to drag my legs by continuing to create assignments for myself overseas. 39. Once in Australia, as I was on assignment (as far as the Eritrean government is concerned) I continued working on getting people out of the country; the people I felt a special obligation to. When I was in Canada, I had heard of the arrest of General Philipos. He was one of the officers visiting my office in Eretria searching for a military solution for the dire situation of Eritrea. Once in Australia, I learned that the 9
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