But the two ground technicians with Ethiopian Airlines, both of Tigrayan origin, said they felt a threat from the Ethiopian authorities that left them no choice but to stow away among crates of fresh flowers. Both men said family members had been detained under sweeping emergency laws that have targeted ethnic Tigrayans — and that they feared it was their turn next. The government denies the laws targeted any particular group and recently lifted the state of emergency. Yohannes believes these killings and detentions were motivated by their Tigrayan ethnicity and actioned under Ethiopia’s new emergency laws. The pair are not the only airline employees to attempt a risky escape from their home country in recent weeks.

Source: Ethiopian News January 31, 2022 21:35 UTC