Ethiopia says at least 78 people killed in protests last week, number could rise

Ethiopia says at least 78 people killed in protests last week, number could rise
# 31 October 2019 22:12 (UTC +04:00)

At least 78 people were killed in protests in Ethiopia last week against the treatment of a prominent activist, the prime minister’s spokeswoman said on Thursday, APA reports quoting Reuters.

Billene Seyoum told a news conference that 409 people had been detained over the unrest and that investigations were ongoing and the death toll and number detained could rise.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was greeted on Thursday with boos by at least 700 protesters during a visit to Ambo, a site of earlier violence located 100 km west of the capital Addis Ababa, three people who were present told Reuters by phone.

As the prime minister entered a meeting with local politicians, supporters of activist Jawar Mohammed gathered outside the town hall chanting “Down Abiy” and “We stand with Jawar, Jawar is our hero,” the people present said.

One said the chants were so strong that the prime minister left the meeting ahead of time and was airlifted out of Ambo in a helicopter amidst tight security.

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