Police arrest Blue Party leaders, members ahead of protest rally on Sunday

ADDIS ABABA - Police have arrested key figures as well as dozens of members of the rising opposition Blue Party. The detainees include the party's deputy chairperson as well as several executive committee members. The political detainees are being held at several police stations in the capital.

The arrests were made at least 48 hours ahead of a protest rally Blue Party had organized for Sunday, April 27 in Addis Ababa.

Party chairperson Yilikal Getnet was plucked out of prison by force, after resisting police orders to leave the jail house. Yilkal sought to remain in jail but police said they received no orders to keep him there.

Blue Party is largely a political organization of the youth, who are characterized as non-violent, law-abiding and yet defiant to fight the tyrannical regime to the end.

In the meantime, police have arrested about half a dozen bloggers. No reason was given for the arrest of the activists who are collectively known as 'Zone Nine' bloggers.


The detainees are Atnafu Berhane, Mahlet Fantahun, Zelalem Kibret, Befekadu Hailu, Natnael Feleke, Abel Wabela and journalist Tesfalem Woldeyes.