3 Bombs explode in Ethiopia; at least one dead

March 27, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) — Three bombs exploded in Ethiopia’s capital Monday, killing at least one person and wounding scores of others, police and witnesses said.

The first bomb exploded on a packed minibus, which was carrying about 10 people into downtown Addis Ababa, ripping the vehicle apart, witnesses said.

Demsach Hailu, spokesman for Ethiopia’s federal police, confirmed the minibus explosion was caused by a bomb and said at least one person was killed. It was unclear how many people were injured. Demsach said a second bomb exploded at a restaurant and another near Addis Ababa’s biggest market, but said he had no other details.

Mesale Bekele, a waiter at Ag Restaurant, said no one was killed but at least 14 people were injured when an explosion blew away the restaurant’s entrance.

Demsach said the force of the blast on the minibus, which appeared to have gone off at the rear of the bus, hurled parts of the vehicle into the street.

Authorities didn’t say who they thought was behind the bombing. Police have blamed a series of small bombings in recent months on militant elements of the political opposition.

But the explosions, which have done little damage, haven’t been accompanied by any claims of responsibility and there has been no indication beyond police statements they were politically motivated.

During protests in June and November over elections that returned Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to power, stone throwing demonstrators and heavily armed security forces clashed, leaving at least 86 people dead. European Union observers have said widespread abuses undermined the validity of the May elections.

A government crackdown in recent months has seen more than 100 opposition leaders, aid workers and journalists brought to trial on charges stemming from the post-election violence.

International human rights groups have condemned the trial, arguing the charges were politically motivated.

(ST/AP)