Ethiopia police release 2252 detainees

Jan 13, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian authorities said they have freed some 2252 people who were seized after days of November political unrest that claimed the lives of at least 46 people and rocked the nation.

The detainees who were under custody at the Zeway Prison Center have been released on Friday, said the Ethiopian Federal Police.

In a statement sent to the state-run ENA on Friday, the police says that several people who participated in the unrest in Addis Ababa and caused various damages were released after due process of investigation.

Police have been making statements about releases since last November, but have yet to announce how many people were rounded up after security forces clashed with demonstrators starting Nov. 1 or how many will face charges.

According to the statement the remaining 656 prisoners who are still in custody at the Zeway Prison are being seen at the relevant court.

Unknown number of people are still detained in Dedesa military camp, 400 kilometers (250 miles) west of Addis Ababa, and other prisons.

The latest unrest in Ethiopia followed the deaths of at least 42 people in June in similar protests over a May 2005 election.

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.

(ST)