Ethiopian police free individuals arrested in connection with recent failed coup attempt
The Ethiopian government on Saturday announced the release of 57 individuals who were arrested in connection with a failed coup attempt last month, state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC) reported.
The 57 individuals were arrested for suspected involvement in the failed coup attempt on June 22, which left scores of the Ethiopian military and civilian officials dead.
FBC reported the 57 individuals were released after it was deemed there was insufficient evidence to implicate them in the attempt.
Earlier this month, Ethiopia similarly released 113 security forces, which had initially been suspected of involvement in the failed coup attempt.
The 113 security forces which are all part of the northern Amhara region’s special police forces were released after an investigation by the Ethiopian government cleared them of any wrongdoings.
A failed coup attempt on June 22, suspected to be carried out by forces loyal to Asaminew Tsige, former head of security at Amhara regional state, caused the deaths of dozens of people including the Amhara regional state president Ambachew Mekonnen and chief of staff of the Ethiopian Army, Seare Mekonnen.
Tsige, the suspected mastermind of the coup attempt was killed several days later by security forces in a shootout.
The failed coup attempt also triggered a total internet blackout throughout the East African country as the Ethiopian government launched a nationwide crackdown on the organized coup attempt, mainly in the Amhara region and the capital Addis Ababa.