2,000 indicted for violence caused by the death of a pop star



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About 2,000 people are facing charges in the violence that erupted in Ethiopia after the June murder of a pop star from the Oromo ethnic group, the attorney general said on Thursday, although he denied the investigations were politically motivated.

The June 29 shooting in Hachalu Hundessa, whose songs channeled Oromo sentiments of marginalization, sparked days of inter-ethnic attacks and violence by police and soldiers that underscored persistent security problems under Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

More than 9,000 people, including journalists and prominent opposition politicians, were caught up in subsequent mass arrests that fueled criticism that Abiy, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize last year, used the riots to silence critics.

“The current figure we have is about 2,000 suspects who are being charged for their involvement in the violence that has taken place in the regional state of Oromia,” Attorney General Gideon Timothewos said at a press conference Thursday at the Abiy office.

Among the highest-profile opposition politicians to be tried is Jawar Mohammed, a former media mogul who was once considered an ally of Abiy.

Jawar is charged with crimes including terrorism and incitement to violence, but on Monday he appeared in court and denounced the charges as part of a plot to marginalize Abiy’s opponents ahead of national elections scheduled for next year.

Gideon on Thursday rejected any suggestion that the cases against Jawar and others were tinged with politics.

“Some of the accused are politicians but they are not charged for their political activity,” he said.

“We have to distinguish between peaceful and legal political mobilization and the kind of rhetoric, the kind of ultra-nationalist militant violent political activism, that results in the deaths and injuries of citizens,” Gideon said.

Abiy’s press secretary, Billene Seyoum, said at the same press conference that the arrests and prosecutions should not cast doubt on the credibility of the upcoming elections, which represent an important test of Abiy’s commitment to democratic reforms.

“The elections will be free and fair,” he said.

“The rule of law procedures have nothing to do with trying to elicit … some prominent voices.”

Gideon said “more than 160” people died and “about 360” were injured after Hachalu’s murder.

Authorities have previously provided a death toll of up to 239.

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