Over 50 detained in Ethiopia’s Oromia after burying attack victims, residents say
Residents of Shirka Woreda in Oromia told Addis Standard that people who buried the dead or helped the wounded after attacks on Orthodox Christians were arrested. The Orthodox Church says 60 of its faithful were killed on October 20 and 24.
More than 50 residents of Shirka Woreda, in Oromia's Southeast Zone (formerly Arsi zone), have been detained after burying victims of recent attacks and helping the wounded. Residents gave the account to Addis Standard, and AllAfrica republished the report on October 28. They said searches and arrests were continuing. One resident was held for 24 hours and then released. The resident said young people who took part in burials, or who transported and treated gunshot victims, had been taken into custody. The grounds for the arrests are unclear. Detainees were reportedly accused of being "threats to the country." A resident of Gobesa town said at least 50 people remained in custody at Gobesa Police Station. According to the same resident, those held included relatives of the dead and women mourning in the streets. The arrests followed attacks by armed men in Chole and Birbo kebeles. Residents told Addis Standard that the attacks killed at least 48 people and injured more than 31. They described house-to-house killings, looting and the use of heavy weapons. One resident said 37 victims were buried at Tereta Chole Saint Raphael Church and others at nearby churches. Two of the 22 gunshot victims later died. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church's Holy Synod…
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