Meseret Media Reports Nighttime Transfer of Dissenters While Figures Like Christian Tadele and Dr. Chane Kebede Sign Official Apologies
By Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — Unidentified authorities forcibly removed several political prisoners from Abba Samuel Prison during the night of August 26 and transported them to an undisclosed location after they refused to sign a government-sponsored pardon document, Meseret Media reported.
The detainees taken include former Amhara Students’ Association President Sisay Melkamu, Belay Sisay, Marew Sileshi, and Colonel Solomon Teferi, according to Meseret Media sources. Their current whereabouts remain unknown.
The incident follows a government initiative facilitated by Ethiopian Human Rights Commissioner Birhanu Adelo that encouraged roughly 1,300 political prisoners to admit to crimes and request pardons in exchange for their release, Meseret Media noted. Figures who accepted the terms and issued formal apologies include former House of Peoples’ Representatives member Christian Tadele, Addis Ababa City Council member Dr. Kassa Tesheger, former EZEMA party chairman Dr. Chane Kebede, and Assistant Professor Maereg Biyabeyn.
However, approximately 30 other political prisoners and journalists have refused to sign the document, insisting they committed no crime, according to Meseret Media‘s report. The news outlet disclosed that the proposed pardon document requires signatories to make specific admissions:
“I admit that participating in the struggle carried out by the extremist group in the Amhara Region was a mistake, and I apologize to the government and the people. I take responsibility for the lives lost (specified in numbers) and property destroyed (specified in numbers) in the region. I pledge that I will not engage in such anti-peace activities again, and I voluntarily sign this document, agreeing that if I do so, the government may take any action against me.”
Reports confirmed that prisoners who have refused to sign include Dr. Wondwossen Assefa, Dr. Sisay Awgichew, journalist Gobez Sisay, journalist Dawit Begashaw, and Yohannes Buwalew. Concerns are growing that authorities may subject the remaining dissenters to similar forced transfers.
__
Join our Telegram Channel: t.me/borkena
Like borkena on Facebook
Join the conversation. Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @zborkena to get the latest Ethiopian news updates regularly. Subscribe to the YouTube channel. To share information or for submission, email info@borkena.com