Two suspects arrested in Ethiopia over fatal shooting of popular musician

Concerned authorities in Ethiopia have confirmed the arrest of two suspects involved in the fatal shooting of Haacaaluu Hundeessaa, a musician widely revered among his Oromo ethnic group.

The arrest of the suspects whose actions sparked wild protests in which hundreds of people were killed, was confirmed in a televised statement on Friday by Attorney General, Adanech Abebe.

He said that the attacker was acting on the orders of an anti-government group, the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF-Shene).

Abebe also added that the two men who were arrested included the suspected attacker and an accomplice. A third suspect was still at large, Adanech said.

READ ALSO: ETHIOPIA: Death toll from unrest over killing of popular musician rises to 166

“We have arrested those who killed him, and those who collaborated in the killing,” Adanech said in the statement. “We will continue to ensure the rule of law.”

“The assassination was intended to be a cover to take power from the incumbent by force,” Adanech said, without providing details.

This came after the death toll arising from protests over the fatal shooting of Hundeessaa increased from 166 to 239 according to local police.

Officials have attributed the increase of deaths to a combination of lethal force by security officers and interethnic violence.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now