[JURIST] Ethiopia's Federal High Court has postponed a verdict in the genocide trial of former dictator Mengistu Haile Miriam [Wikipedia profile] until next January. The announcement of the verdict had been scheduled for Tuesday. Even though the trial has lasted 12 years, the delay was necessary for the court to review new defense evidence, according to the head of the three-judge panel trying the case.

Mengistu, who has been in exile in Zimbabwe since rebels forced him from power in 1991, has been tried in absentia for the killings of thousands of people during his 17-year regime [USCIS backgrounder]. The Mail & Guardian has more.