Two killed, 14 policemen hurt in Addis Ababa clashes – Ethiopian police
Jan 20, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — Two persons were killed and 14 policemen wounded as a result of bomb attack and stoning by some demonstrators while Orthodox faithful were escorting slabs to their respective churches here on Friday, the Addis Ababa Police Commission said.
According to the official ENA, a bomb as well as a number of stones thrown against the faithful and security forces while accompanying a slab of a certain church around a police station in an area called Ferensay injured seven policemen. But witnesses said protesters threw stones only.
News agencies reported that Police shot at the crowd after groups taunted the police, blocked roads and shouted anti-government slogans. The AP said 33 people wounded by the police.
The protesters were shouting slogans denouncing the head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, who was leading the religious observations. The church patriarch, Abune Paulos, has been criticized by opposition supporters for being too close to Ethiopia’s ruling party.
An individual died in the premise of the church in a stampede caused when the protesters threw stones at the faithful at Ferensay.
Similarly, an individual died in stampede when protesters threw stones at the faithful and slabs at the gate of a church popularly called Addisu Michael.
Seven policemen injured while 17 vehicles were shattered with stones thrown by protesters in the area locally called Sholla Gebeya as the faithful accompanying slabs to their respective churches, the police said.
Furthermore, 17 windows at a nearby health center were smashed while some property of a police station suffered damage, it said.
Some 42 protesters were arrested and a team was set up to investigate the case.
The ceremony continued after police and the public brought law and order by picking up protesters, the police said.
Traditionally, tens of thousands of members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church march through the streets carrying replicas of the Ark of the Covenant, which they believe is kept safe in northern Ethiopia.
(ST)