Wearing face masks and white clothes stitched with the colors of the Oromia region’s flag, people in downtown Addis Ababa were subjected to at least six security checks complete with body searches and, in some areas, sniffer dogs. “I don’t know the kind of information they have but these security checks are too much,” said Hassen, a participant who gave only his first name, fearing for his safety. More than 500 people were arrested on suspicion of plotting to disrupt the festival, the Oromia police commission said Thursday. Officials said they were carrying out strict security checks but did not confirm the ban. On Friday, an Ethiopian court charged four people suspected in the killing, which led to turmoil that saw more than 180 people and thousands arrested.

Source: Ethiopian News October 03, 2020 08:37 UTC