Activists in Ethiopia have slammed the arrest on Wednesday of a known human rights defender. Reports said lawyer Henok Aklilu was arrested and held by the police.
Ethiopia police arrests lawyer over 'Addis Ababa ruler' declaration
According to leading blogger, Befeqadu Hailu, police had searched Aklilu’s office, seized his computer before detaining him at the Sostegna police station in the capital, Addis Ababa.
Hailu described the detainee as “a human rights lawyer who defended many politically motivated charges against activists.” Award-winning journalist who was recently released from jail, Eskinder Nega, also described the arrest as a ‘bad sign,’ that a known advocate of prisoners of conscience be imprisoned.
In explaining the reason behind the arrest, blogger Atnaf Brhane, disclosed on Thursday that Aklilu was being held with another person, Mike Melake. The duo were presented before court over accusations that they had disseminated information that “Addis Ababa cannot be ruled by an outsider.”
Confirmed! Police accused Henok Aklilu and Mike Melake for disseminating information that 'Addis Ababa can not be ruled by outsider'. Court Adjourned the case for 7 days for further investigation. #Ethiopia— Atnaf Brhane (@AtnafB) October 18, 2018
“Mike Melake who is forming ‘Palestine Solidarity Movement’ here in Addis was accused of having a contact with Palestine Consul here in Addis,” Brhane added.
The Abiy-led government have since April been tagged an administration that had done a lot to break from the past of arbitrary arrests.
Amnesty International, AI, in September this year cautioned government against sliding back into the ear of arbitrary use of state authority.
Their warning came in the wake of mass arrests in and around the capital Addis Ababa after days of ethnic-based attacks that claimed lives.
Police have said over 1000 of the detainees are to be released today or latest by Saturday whiles about 80 others are to be arraigned before the courts for complicity in violent acts.
WHY is one of the best known advocates of prisoners of conscience,HENOK AKILILU,, imprisoned?...BAD SIGN!!!....... ሄኖክ አክሊሉ ለምን ታሠረ?.....አረ ወዴት እየሄድን ነው?.....ጥሩ ምልክት አይደለም!!! pic.twitter.com/ydgquir9dZ— Eskinder Nega (@eskinder_nega) October 18, 2018
Henok Aklilu, a human rights lawyer who defended many politically motivated charges against activists, is arrested today. Police searched his office and cofisicated his computer. He is now held in Sostegna Police Station. No explanation of why he was detained. pic.twitter.com/sZZUvJQxyE— BefeQadu Z. Hailu (@befeqe) October 17, 2018
ታጥቦ ጭቃ!
As the crackdown on innocent 'Addis Ababawiyans' continues – Henok Aklilu, a human rights lawyer and political science expert – arrested today.
I am sure you will fight through this bogus politically motivated charges my friend. pic.twitter.com/ROWMXXgdJK— Solomon (@xsolotx) October 17, 2018
The regime of Abiy Ahmed has ended its honeymoon period. The system has started to display its real advent by detaining the #Addis Ababa youth and renowned human right lawyer Henok Aklilu. #Ethiopia— Getachew Gebrekiros (@GetachewSae) October 18, 2018
@alfaafrican