A/HRC/13/42* page 176 February 2009, Mr. Makhtal was allowed to meet with family members for the first time since his initial detention in Kenya. Judicial proceedings He was initially brought before a military tribunal which declared him an unlawful combatant. He had no access to counsel during this time. Formal charges were filed after July 2008. On 22 January 2009, his case was transferred to a civilian court. He was tried before the High Court of Ethiopia, and finally gained access to a lawyer. The Canadian authorities and NGOs monitored the trial and reported procedural irregularities that amounted to an unfair trial. Mr. Makhtal was unable to meet regularly with his lawyer and prohibited from meeting in private. He and his lawyer were not sufficiently advised about the charges as the case was partially disclosed at the last minute. His lawyer was not permitted to cross-examine prosecution’s witnesses or call any in his client’s defence. On 27 July 2009, Mr. Makhtal was convicted on terrorism related charges - inciting rebellion by aiding and abetting the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF), an armed opposition group in the Somali region of Ethiopia; being a senior member of the ONLF; and involvement in training of ONLF members. On 3 August 2009, he was sentenced to life imprisonment. He has appealed his conviction and sentence. Date of release Not applicable, he was in prison at time of the interview. Additional Information His relatives were also arrested and detained for some period of time. His wife was not permitted to visit or have direct access to her husband until the trial commenced. * Information contained is from an interview with the interviewee’s legal representative, Mr. Lorne Waldman, and other credible sources. Case 17 - Biographic details Name Mr. Raymond Manalo* Nationality/country of origin Philippines Gender Male Detention Date of initial detention 14 February 2006 Location of the detention Abducted from his home in Buhol na Mangga, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, The Philippines Grounds of initial detention He was never brought before a judge or otherwise formally notified of the reasons for his detention. The interrogations he was subjected to, however, made it clear that he was accused of being a member of the New People’s Army (NPA), an insurgent group listed as terrorist organization by some Governments. The authority(ies) involved in the detention The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel with assistance of CAFGU (Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit) auxiliaries. Total period of detention 18 months (from 14 February 2006 until 13 August 2007) Duration of secret detention Entire period of detention