Kitchener Man Faces Heavy Penalties in Ethiopia Over Walkie-Talkies

Peter Pal Jola’s daughter shared that he traveled from Kitchener, Ont., to Ethiopia in March for a brief visit to deliver supplies.

However, the 67-year-old Canadian never made it out of the airport.

“He wasn’t planning to go for long,” said Nyarieni Pal in an interview. “He was just going to go visit friends and family.”

Pal mentioned that her father intended to take some supplies to people in his hometown in South Sudan, where ongoing conflict and hunger have devastated the area. Among those supplies were a few pairs of walkie-talkies that Jola purchased online from Amazon, she stated.

Unfortunately, having those devices, which are prohibited in Ethiopia, led to Jola being charged with three counts of importing military equipment, according to Pal. Each charge could result in 10 years behind bars.

Initially, Jola was informed that he could leave the devices at the airport and retrieve them when returning to Canada, but this changed once officials discovered he was carrying them toward the South Sudanese border.

“It’s completely ridiculous,” Pal expressed, adding that Jola only aimed to assist people displaced by the conflict.

“People were losing touch with their friends and family, and so they needed a way of communicating.”

The Role of Canada

Pal indicated her father is currently held at Kaliti maximum-security prison in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital. Inmates must provide their own funds for basic necessities like food and medication.

Nyarieni Pal has been working tirelessly since March to secure her father’s release from Ethiopian custody. She states he’s facing charges for ‘importation of military equipment’ due to having walkie-talkies in his luggage. (Submitted by Nyarieni Pal)

Pal noted her father has diabetes and a suspected kidney tumor and relies on a cane for mobility after suffering a femur fracture from a car accident in 2022.

“Every week, we’re sending probably between $300 and $400 Canadian to him,” she said. “That money is used for his food, water and I assume medication, although he’s never specifically mentioned it.”

According to Pal, Canadian Embassy consular officials have visited her dad several times but “they’ve made it clear that there is very little they can do regarding getting involved in the judicial system.”

“Which I understand,” she remarked, but added: “It just feels like there could be more done.”

LISTEN | Kitchener man faces serious jail time in Ethiopia:

The Morning Edition – K-W7:50Kitchener man faces serious jail time in Ethiopia for bringing walkie-talkies into the country

A Kitchener man is facing 30 years imprisonment because he packed walkie-talkies into his suitcase. CBC’s Cameron Mahler discovered what efforts the family is making for his release and how much or how little help they’re receiving from the Canadian government.

Aaron Shull serves as managing director and general counsel at the Centre for International Governance Innovation located in Waterloo.

Shull explained that when it comes to what actions the Canadian government can take in such situations, “the answer is not much.”

“They can’t force a release. They can support.”

This support may involve offering consular assistance or engaging diplomatically while ensuring due process occurs.

“Countries are allowed whatever laws they choose.”

Ethiopia’s Information Network Security Agency (INSA) an import-export control list last year following requests from United Nations agencies; it identifies walkie-talkies among 26 restricted items alongside GPS devices , security cameras , and binoculars.Aaron Shull serves as managing director and general counsel at Ci Gi located in Waterloo. He pointed out that beyond providing consular assistance when a citizen gets detained abroad , there isn’t much else available through Canadian authorities. (Submitted by Ci Gi)

“To me , it’s a stupid law , but that law exists ” , he continued. “It sounds like this individual may have violated it , which significantly restricts Canada ’ s options.”

reached out both Ethiopian authorities along with their judicial system seeking information about Jola’s arrest as well as charges against him without receiving any response before publishing time.

A Letter of Support Needed

Nyarieni said her father had “absolutely no clue” about the legality of bringing walkie-talkies into Ethiopia.

If he’d known otherwise she believes he wouldn’t have taken them along. She added : “My dad is law-abiding ; he’s spent over 30 years living here without ever encountering legal issues ”.

Anxious yet hopeful despite being imprisoned seven months now ; Nyarieni explained how initially having dealt poorly with one attorney prompted retention another whom shows greater promise leading up next Thursday’s court date.

The most crucial factor she feels regarding securing justice involves obtaining supportive letters issued directly addressed towards Ethiopian authorities through Canada’s government bureaucracy.

The family also created Go Fund Me fundraiser aimed assisting cover legal costs associated with representing Jola during these proceedings.

Taking privacy matters into account Global Affairs Canada declined commenting specifically about this particular case while acknowledging awareness surrounding detention concerning their citizen situated within Ethiopian territory indicating ongoing provision supporting related needs offered across channels open families affected involved situation.

“We really want our government taking this seriously,” Nyarieni emphasized passionately asserting if this were an MP or someone higher up would they be left languishing away locked inside foreign jails? ”

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