July 15, 2003

Major Tsehaye Wolde Sellasie was imprisoned after being accused of shooting to death Kinfe Gebre Medhin, the chief of security for the EPRDF. Kept in a dark isolation room in the central prison of Addis Abeba, it has now been confirmed he was repeatedly beaten with such severity that he was in a coma for long periods. He has been denied visits by his family, and only his wife, the mother of his three children, has been able to see him from time to time.

There have been allegations that there were attempts to murder this prisoner who is said to be holding compromising secrets. The victim, Kinfe, was one of the top leaders of the Tigrean People's Liberation Front (TPLF) which set up the EPRDF. There is a justified fear for the life of Major Tsehaye who has so blatantly been denied due process of law. He had also served within the TPLF for the past 26 years.

SOCEPP condemns the EPRDF officials who ordered the torture and brutal beatings of major Tsehaye and calls on all such brutalities to stop immediately. Major Tsehaye should also be taken out of the dark isolation cell and allowed a visit by a competent doctor and members of his family. Sadly enough, we are forced to note that the torture of prisoners is becoming routine in EPRDF controlled Ethiopia.

SOCEPP