“It's been tough living alone,” he said speaking to VOA’s Afaan Oromoo Service over the phone in his native Afaan Oromoo. The anti-government gesture at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro put the runner at grave personal risk, and possible retribution toward his family. Since then, security forces are accused of killing hundreds and detaining tens of thousands of protesters, according to Human Rights Watch. One of many restrictions under the current state of emergency is the very political gesture that Lelisa is famous for. “I didn't make the decision to protest because of my family,” he said speaking about his decision to continue protesting.

Source: Ethiopian News February 15, 2017 06:51 UTC