Ethiopia has arrested 63 senior military and intelligence officers accused of corruption and human rights abuses, according to Attorney General Berhanu Tsegaye, who announced the arrests on Monday. This action marks a rare intervention against the powerful security apparatus in the country.
The arrests are seen as part of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s efforts to reform Ethiopia and move away from its authoritarian past. “Twenty-seven officials have been arrested for alleged corrupt practices, while 36 have been detained for alleged human rights abuses,” Berhanu stated at a press conference, adding that a manhunt is ongoing for remaining suspects.
While Berhanu did not disclose the names of the individuals arrested, he confirmed that some have already been brought before the courts. The suspected corruption primarily involves the military-run Metals and Engineering Corporation (METEC), which is accused of engaging in purchases totaling $2 billion without any bidding process. This corporation has played a significant role in the construction of Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a flagship project for the country.
Earlier this year, Prime Minister Abiy made an unusual public admission that security officials had committed abuses and torture with impunity. Berhanu elaborated on some of the allegations related to human rights violations that occurred in secret prisons in the capital, Addis Ababa, and other locations. “Detainees were subjected to various abuses, including gang rapes, sodomy, prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures, waterboarding, and deprivation of sunlight,” he reported.
Additionally, Berhanu provided a brief update on the investigation into a grenade explosion at a rally addressed by Abiy in June, which resulted in two fatalities. He mentioned that an unnamed intelligence officer is suspected of involvement in that incident.
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