Abbay Media News
Yassin Ibrahim
Based on the Ethiopian government’s plan to release political prisoners in order to bring national reconciliation and widen the political space, the regional state of Oromia has pardoned more than 2,000 political prisoners.
The communication head of Oromia Justice Bureau, Mr Taye Dendaa, told Deutsche Welle the regional state has decided today 2,345 political prisoners will be freed of which 1,538 are convicted and serving time. The remaining 250 prisoners have their cases terminated by the prosecutor and 557 of them have been in police custody undergoing investigation.
Mr Taye Dandaa said the release of political prisoners will begin from today and most of them were detained during the popular protest in the past three years. All of of the freed are prisoners of conscience and were arrested for participating in the political protest. Those responsible for loss of life and for serious bodily injury will not be released, said the Communication head of the Oromia Justice Bureau.
Citizens jailed for people’s cause must be freed and their release not only will curb the existing political atmosphere of suspicion but also create trust among different sections and political circles in the region and across the nation, concluded Mr Taye Dendaa.
