Justice in Abyssinia.
A SHORT SHRIFT. A recenl visitor to Addis Abeba gives a pirture of Menelik in. his judicial capacity. The court is held in an open square under the blue akv. his Majesty being enthroned an
a dais, with the Affa Negus (voice of the'Kinjj) by his side as Lord Chief Justice. - Below sit the minor judges, and around stand the people.
The prisoner — accused in this instance of murder — was brought before the throne, bound to a couple of warders, and his features clearly expressed his knowledge of the fate awaiting him.
" Why did you commit murder?" asks thfl Kinsr.
" I only meant to steal," replies the criminal. || Had you no other motive?" " No. lam a beggar. The messenger had dollars, and I cut his girdle to get them." Good. You are sentenced to death. Hay« you any request to make?"
The poor wretch pleads for mercy, but in. vain.
Then the executioner leads his victim to the market place, where he is at once strung up on a tree, the whole affair lasting just 20 minutes. — Chronicle.
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Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 62
Word Count
181Justice in Abyssinia. Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 62
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