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1,645 arrested as Ethiopia moves to quell violent protests

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1,645 arrested as Ethiopia moves to quell violent protests

Less than two weeks after declaring a state of emergency, authorities in Ethiopia have revealed that no less than 1,645 persons have been arrested in a crackdown against violent protesters.

Breaking down the number of those nabbed according to a statement by the government body formed to quell the unrest, around 1,200 of those were described as ringleaders, and the rest are coordinators, suspects and “bandits.

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There has also been opposition from activist groups and civil society who accuse the government and security forces of using excessive violence – charges which have been dismissed by the government which has blamed the violence on armed groups backed by unnamed foreign powers.

“A total of 1,120 ringleaders of violence that led to the destruction of infrastructure and property in West Arsi and Shashemene have been apprehended,” said the government body known as the Command Post, referring to areas in Oromiya region, south of the capital.

The security efforts had now “restored peace nationwide”, it added.

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