Ethiopia releases 2,600 election demonstrators from prison News
Ethiopia releases 2,600 election demonstrators from prison

[JURIST] Ethiopian federal police Friday confirmed the release of 2,665 people arrested during recent election-related protests [JURIST report]. The Ethiopian Human Rights Council [advocacy website] had estimated over 3,000 arrests were made during demonstrations. According to police, the released prisoners were only minomally involved, but the cases of the others would require further investigation and the remainder would be tried in court. Pressure from the European Union [EU press release], donors and international humanitarian agencies is believed to have resulted in the mass release. Diplomats from the Irish, Swiss and US embassies inspected conditions at the federal prison where the protestors were held earlier in the week. South Africa's Mail & Guardian has more.