Seven people have died in Ethiopia in protests that followed the shooting dead of musician Hachalu Hundessa, well known for his political songs, medics have told the BBC.
Police are investigating his death.
Hachalu’s songs often focused on the rights of the country’s Oromo ethnic group and became anthems in a wave of protests that led to the downfall of the previous prime minister in 2018.
The 34-year-old was attacked on Monday evening when he was driving.
Meanwhile Federal police arrested a powerful Ethiopian media tycoon on Tuesday after his bodyguards refused orders to disarm, the tycoon’s television station reported, as protests spread in the Oromiya region over the killing of a popular singer.
The Oromia Media Network is owned by Jawar Mohammed, a prominent activist from Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Oromo ethnic group.
Jawar, an erstwhile ally of Abiy, became a vocal critic after he accused the prime minister of not protecting the interests of the Oromo.
(With input from Reuters and BBC)
