Ethiopia: 212 nabbed for suspected links to coup bid

By Addis Getachew and Seleshi Tessema

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - Ethiopian government said Friday some 212 suspects have been apprehended so far for their suspected links to the coup attempt in the the Amhara regional state government.

Another 43 suspects were arrested for allegedly involving in the killing of military officers and officials in Addis Ababa, the capital of Addis Ababa, Billene Seyoum, spokeswoman at the Prime Minister’s office, said in a press conference.

On Saturday, the main suspect Brig. Gen. Asaminew Tsige allegedly orchestrated the coup to topple the Amhara regional government killing the regional chief Ambachew Mekonnen, his adviser Ezez Wase, and the regional attorney general Migbaru Kebede.

Later on the day, the Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Sea’re Mekonnen and his confidante Maj. Gen. Geza’e Aberra were shot by the general’s guard now identified as Corporal Tigabu Mekonnen.

The spokeswoman recalled that the alleged coup plotter was killed in Amhara on Monday.

“This incident is an isolated incident and it will not derail the government’s path to reform,” she said.

For the day of the coup attempt and assassinations, the government said there was a link between the two incidents. But now the task of establishing the suspected link has been left to a high-level team drawn from the police, army, and the justice sector.

“Despite the reforms there are individuals who are affected by shifting status quo and elements focused on a quick short cut to power through fear mongering and disruption,” she said.