Ethiopia frees opposition members and lawyer

Ethiopia has released two opposition party members and a lawyer close to their party without charges after they were arrested in August and accused of plotting terrorist attacks, lawyer Mebrihi Brhane said Saturday.

Yisak Wolday, head of public relations for the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party, party member Abebe Akalu and lawyer Abera Nigus were arrested on August 3. Abera has represented several members of the opposition party.

They had been accused of “intent to seize power by force,” and a police charge sheet said they had “planned and coordinated to carry out terrorist acts.”

Mebrihi, Abera's lawyer, said two of the men were released Friday and one on Saturday. He said a High Court had ordered their release on bail on August 4 and accused authorities of holding them illegally.

The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party was among the most vocal critics of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's Prosperity Party before the June 1 elections, which the ruling party won. The opposition party did not win any seats.

Reporters Without Borders says five journalists are currently being held in Ethiopia.