Ethiopia to Release Political Prisoners, Close Maekelawi - Ethiopian PMJanuary 3, 2018 - In unexpected announcement, PM Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia disclosed Ethiopia will release and pardon prisoners jailed for political reasons. Further it is disclosed that the government will close Maekelawi prison, officially known as the Federal Police Crime Investigation Center. This marks the first time that the Ethiopian government has to admit that there are people jailed for political reasons in Ethiopia. Nearly 700 people died in one bout of unrest during months of protests in 2015 and 2016, according to a parliament-mandated investigation. Prominent persons currently in government custody include Merera Gudina and Bekele Gerba -- leaders of the opposition group the Oromo Federalist Congress.

Source: Ethiopian News January 03, 2018 18:00 UTC