In a dramatic turn of events, Taye Dendea, Ethiopia’s former state minister for peace, was released from jail on Thursday, just a day after being rearrested by security forces.
His rearrest occurred mere minutes after a court granted him bail on Wednesday. According to his family, Taye was taken by security forces wearing police uniforms shortly after he walked out of prison.
Taye’s wife, Sintayehu Alemayehu, shared that he was released again on Thursday and taken to a federal police facility, where she met him and brought him food. However, she expressed concern that no explanation was given for his rearrest, despite the court’s decision to grant him bail.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has confirmed Taye’s release, and he is now back at home. His family and politicians had expressed concerns for his safety after the rearrest, which occurred at the Kilinto Prison Center in Addis Ababa. Taye was initially arrested in December last year for posting comments critical of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his government, and was charged with collaborating with groups aiming to destabilize Ethiopia and using social media to endorse violence. A judge later dropped those charges, but Taye still faces a charge related to the “illegal” possession of firearms.
