Ethiopia police release more than 1700 detainees

Nov 12, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian police released 1,721 people arrested in connection with the recent bloody protests in Addis Ababa. They were detained in the city and in Dedesa.

On 10 November, the federal police have released more than 2,400 protesters because they were found to have played no role in the violence.

Among the people detained are opposition leaders, including Coalition for Unity and Democracy chairman Hailu Shawel and vice chairman Berhanu Nega and prominent human rights activist Mesfin Wolde Mariam.

In a statement sent to the state-run ENA later on Saturday, the police says it was decided that those suspects who did not involve directly in the violence be released after due process of investigation.

According to the statement, 1672 detainees were released from Dedesa military camp, 400 kilometers (250 miles) west of Addis Ababa, and 49 detainees released from the Addis Ababa prison.

The violence began Nov. 1 after peaceful protests Oct. 31 over the disputed May 15 elections.

(ST)