An Ethiopian court ruling Tuesday finding former leader Mengistu Haile Mariam guilty of crimes against humanity and condemning him to death in absentia, has refocused international attention on his presence in Zimbabwe, where he has lived since 1991.

Mengistu and 69 other officials were found guilty of genocide during his 17-year rule.

In Harare, William Nhara, principle director of interactive and public affairs in the office of President Robert Mugabe, said Zimbabwe has no position on the ruling as yet, but added that Mengistu had came to Zimbabwe at the behest of America and Britain.

Human rights activist and lawyer Brian Kagoro told reporter Ndimyake Mwakalyelye of VOA’s Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that Harare has a legal duty to extradite the former marxist dictator – but the discretion to do so lies with President Mugabe.

More reports from VOA’s Studio 7 For Zimbabwe…

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