Ethiopia, 7 policemen killed 250 injured in clashes with opposition
Nov 8, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — Medical Director of the Ethiopian Police Hospital said seven policemen have been killed and around 250 sustained severe and light injuries as a result of in clashes between opposition supporters and police, chiefly in the national capital.
In a press briefing he gave to journalists on Tuesday, the Medical Director, Commander Dr. Bahiru Alemayehu said several police members have sustained varying degrees of injuries from bullets fired as well as hand grenades and stones thrown by rioters on November 1 and 2, 2005.
According to the medical director, among the 35 police members that were attacked on November 1st, one reached the hospital dead, while two others who were attacked by a hand grenade reached hospital losing consciousness.
The medical director also said on November 2, some 51 police members were attacked, of whom one police lost his life, while three others sustained severe injuries.
He added that the remaining five police members died as a result of the bullets fired and hand grenades thrown at them while they were on duty.
The medical director also said there are currently many police members at the hospital who have sustained various physical injuries.
A policeman who sustained severe injury has not yet regained his consciousness even at the seventh day since he was admitted to the hospital, the medical director said, adding another police who is in a similar state regains his consciousness intermittently.
At least 46 people died, many from gunshot wounds, and more than 200 were injured in clashes between opposition supporters and police.
The violence erupted Tuesday with protests against the results of Ethiopia’s May elections, which the opposition claims were fraudulently won by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s ruling party.
(ENA/ST)