Ethiopia release 2,665 people detained after election protests

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, June 24, 2005 (AP) — Ethiopian authorities have released 2,665 people seized during unrest in the capital during which security forces shot at least 36 demonstrators dead, an official said Friday.

An Ethiopian policeman beating a university student using the butt of his assault rifle as another armed policeman moves in, in the capital of Addis Ababa on Monday, June 6, 2005. (AP).

During three days of protests that started June 6 against alleged electoral fraud in last month’s parliamentary elections, police arrested hundreds of people. Police later killed a newly elected opposition leader in southern Ethiopia. Six policemen were arrested for the politician’s death.

The detainees were released after diplomats from the embassies of Ireland, Switzerland and the United States visited a detention camp to check on their conditions.

“It has been proved that these people haven’t been involved in the unrest so they have been released,” government spokesman Zemedkun Teckle said.

Police were still holding more people but some of those would be freed once investigations are complete, he said.

On June 15, Human Rights Watch said that thousands of people were arrested across Ethiopia following the violent clashes, including student activists and opposition supporters.

The government has since announced the release of about 700 people.

On June 15, Britain suspended a planned 20 million British pounds (US$36.1 million; euro29.88 million) increase in aid because of the political unrest.