Ethiopian Denies Arrest of Opposition Party Activists

Ethiopia’s government denied claims by the opposition that political activists in state of Oromia have been arrested in recent weeks as part of a crackdown to pre-empt potential anti-government protests.

Since the detentions began on March 14, 64 members or supporters of the Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement and Oromo People’s Congress remain imprisoned in the capital, Addis Ababa, OFDM Deputy Chairman Bekele Gerba said in a phone interview today from the city. As many as four people have “disappeared,” he said.