After 28 months in prison, Daniel and Netsanet are free.

Anti-poverty campaigners Daniel Bekele and Netsanet Demissie were released from Kaliti prison in Ethiopia at approximately 16:30 local time (13:30 GMT) today, 28 March 2008. Friends, relatives and ActionAid colleagues gave them an emotional welcome back to freedom after more than two years in prison.

Daniel and Netsanet were detained in November 2005 in a wave of arrests after political violence broke out for the second time that year. In a trial which also involved many opposition politicians, the pair were charged with the crime of 'outrage against the constitution and the constitutional order'.

In December 2007 they were acquitted of the original charge, but they were convicted of a lesser offence of 'provocation and preparation' and sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment.

They were pardoned and released after signing a letter to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi saying they were sorry for their 'mistakes'.

ActionAid’s chief executive Ramesh Singh said:

"We are overjoyed that Daniel and Netsanet are free and reunited with their families, friends and colleagues. ActionAid has given full support to Daniel and Netsanet and the decisions they have made throughout this process. We are proud of them. We admire the dignity with which they have conducted themselves and we will be alongside them now as they plan their future.

"We would like to thank all the organisations and individuals who have given encouragement, support and inspiration to Daniel and Netsanet, and who have worked tirelessly for their freedom."

Daniel and Netsanet would have completed their sentence in May 2008, but could have faced many more years in prison if a prosecution appeal to the Supreme Court had been successful.

The prosecution appeal, and an appeal entered by the defence, were both withdrawn on 26 March 2008.

Follow the case on the trial timeline