Ethiopia's attorney general ordered the release of hundreds of prisoners on Thursday, state media reported, including journalist and blogger Eskinder Nega and opposition leader Andualem Arage whose jailings drew international condemnation. "The Federal Attorney General today pardoned a total of 746 suspects and prisoners, including Eskindr (sic) Naga and Andualem Arage," state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate said. "About 417 of the pardoned inmates are federal prisoners jailed on terrorism, inciting violence, religious extremism and other related convictions," Fana added. The US along with rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned Ethiopia's use of its terrorism law to go after journalists and opposition figures. The amnesty comes amid simmering discontent in Ethiopia with the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) government, in power since 1991.

Source: Ethiopian News February 08, 2018 16:18 UTC