Over 11,000 political prisoners freed

Ethiopian authorities have freed more than 11,200 people seized following post-election political unrest in November that claimed the lives of at least 46 people. Over 2,000 prisoners were released without charge after prosecutors said they had played a minimal role in the violence. "After presenting reports on its investigation to the prosecutor and as per the directive given by the latter, police released 2,252 prisoners whose participation in the violence was minimal and who could follow their cases outside prison," a police statement said on Friday. A further 734 prisoners detained after fighting erupted in the capital, Addis Ababa, were freed on 6 January, according to an earlier report by the state-run Ethiopian News Agency. The exact number of those still held by Ethiopian authorities remains unclear. State media said 656 prisoners were still being held at Ziway detention camp, 150 km south of the capital. A second detention centre, Dedesa, located 400 km west of Addis Ababa, was closed in December amid allegations of prisoner abuse. Its 2,678 prisoners were transferred to Ziway. Opposition lawmakers maintain that more detainees are being held at other camps around the country. Among those still detained are Hailu Shawel, chairman of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy party; Berhanu Nega, mayor of Addis Ababa; and Mesfin Wolde Mariam, a prominent human rights activist. They are part of a group of 129 opposition leaders, journalists and aid workers accused of treason, genocide and other charges relating to the violence. The European Union and the United States have called for all political detainees to be freed. Some donors have withdrawn US $375 million in budgetary support to the government due to the detentions. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has said that around 3,000 people will face charges for the disturbances in June and November. He has ordered an independent investigation into the unrest.