Man Gets 10 Year in Prison for Making, Distributing Counterfeit Banknotes

ADDIS ABABA – A man who was arrested while counterfeiting Ethiopian birr currency will spend the next ten years in prison in Benishangul-Gumuz region.

The defendant, named as Tolla Mirabu, was arrested last March together with computer and other equipments he was using to counterfeit banknotes in his house located Maremia Sefer of Assosa City, according to court documents.

Over 1.6 million currency in counterfeit birr banknotes from his house, the documents also showed.

Apart from witness accounts and other evidence provided to the court, the defendant pleaded guilty of printing and distributing counterfeit currency charges, said Ketema Melku, Assosa City Justice Bureau Prosecutor, speaking to state-run Ethiopian News Agency.

The Assosa High Court sentenced the individual to 10 years in prison during a hearing on Wednesday, the Prosecutor added.

The court also ordered for counterfeit banknotes to be destroyed and the transfer of computers and other equipment to the government.