56 members of an Amhara political party have been arrested by police in Ethiopia over last week’s failed coup.
Officials of the Amhara political party said the arrests happened in the capital Addis Ababa.
Spokesperson for the National Movement of Amhara, Christian Tadele confirmed the arrests on Thursday.
The party officials have condemned the said attempted coup and the associated deaths. They have also denied any link between the party and the incident.
The National Movement of Amhara was founded last year but has emerged as a rival to an Amhara party in the ruling EPRDF coalition.
Six people accused of playing a role in the failed coup have already appeared in court in Addis Ababa.
The suspects were arraigned on charges of terrorism in their alleged attempt to overthrow the Amhara state government.
They were the first set of people to be sent to court after the incident which led to the death of the country’s army chief of staff, Gen Seare Mekonnen.
The army chief and four other officials died in the attack with the alleged ringleader of the failed coup, Brig Gen Asaminew Tsige, also reportedly killed.
In court the judge ordered the police to come up with evidence that shows that the suspects indeed played a role in the incident.
The police have 28 days to come up with further evidence. But the judge said the suspects could remain in custody.
Meanwhile there are reports of dozens of others being killed in the sate capital Bahir Dar during a fight after the attack on the regional police headquarters, ruling party headquarters and regional president’s office.
Amhara state
The state of Amhara is Ethiopia’s second most populous region and home to people belonging to the Amhara ethnic group.
The national language of Amharic originates from the Amhara state. But there is continued violence between the Amhara and Gumuz ethnic groups.
Many people have been killed in both states due to fighting with the latest clashes happening in May of this year.
This particular fighting and other ethnic clashes in Ethiopia have displaced millions and are largely over land disputes.
Source: Africafeeds.com
