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Ginbot 7's Andargachew Tsege: Ethiopia confirms arrest | Ginbot 7's Andargachew Tsege: Ethiopia confirms arrest |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Ethiopia has confirmed it has arrested opposition leader Andargachew Tsege, who disappeared in Yemen last month. | Ethiopia has confirmed it has arrested opposition leader Andargachew Tsege, who disappeared in Yemen last month. |
His UK-based wife Yemi Hailemariam told the BBC she was shocked to see him paraded on state television. | His UK-based wife Yemi Hailemariam told the BBC she was shocked to see him paraded on state television. |
Ethiopian TV said Andargachew had been arrested in Yemen and then extradited. | Ethiopian TV said Andargachew had been arrested in Yemen and then extradited. |
It described him as the country's "most wanted person". He was sentenced to death in absentia in 2009 on charges of planning to assassinate government officials - which he denied. | It described him as the country's "most wanted person". He was sentenced to death in absentia in 2009 on charges of planning to assassinate government officials - which he denied. |
Andargachew, a UK national, is secretary-general of Ethiopia's banned Ginbot 7 movement. | Andargachew, a UK national, is secretary-general of Ethiopia's banned Ginbot 7 movement. |
Amnesty International last week warned he was at risk of being tortured while in Ethiopian custody. | Amnesty International last week warned he was at risk of being tortured while in Ethiopian custody. |
Correspondents say Andargachew sounded hoarse and appeared to be incoherent during his appearance on TV. | Correspondents say Andargachew sounded hoarse and appeared to be incoherent during his appearance on TV. |
He said he had accepted his arrest as "a blessing in disguise". | He said he had accepted his arrest as "a blessing in disguise". |
"I just want to rest because I was really, really exhausted," he said. | "I just want to rest because I was really, really exhausted," he said. |
"We have made clear that we expect immediate consular access and requested reassurances that the death penalty imposed in absentia will not be carried out" | |
UK Foreign Office | |
Ms Yemi said it was difficult to see footage of her husband. | Ms Yemi said it was difficult to see footage of her husband. |
"I switched it off quickly. I couldn't watch it," she said. | "I switched it off quickly. I couldn't watch it," she said. |
Ms Yemi said the UK should demand the immediate release of her husband. | Ms Yemi said the UK should demand the immediate release of her husband. |
"If they want to try him, they must go through the proper channels," she told the BBC. | "If they want to try him, they must go through the proper channels," she told the BBC. |
A British Foreign Office spokesman said it had raised its "deep concerns" with both Ethiopia and Yemen about the extradition. | A British Foreign Office spokesman said it had raised its "deep concerns" with both Ethiopia and Yemen about the extradition. |
"We have made clear that we expect immediate consular access and requested reassurances that the death penalty imposed in absentia will not be carried out," the spokesman said. | "We have made clear that we expect immediate consular access and requested reassurances that the death penalty imposed in absentia will not be carried out," the spokesman said. |
Ginbot 7 says Andargachew had been on his way from the United Arab Emirates to Eritrea when he was detained at Sanaa airport on 24 June. | Ginbot 7 says Andargachew had been on his way from the United Arab Emirates to Eritrea when he was detained at Sanaa airport on 24 June. |
Ginbot 7 (15 May) was named after the date of the 2005 elections, which were marred by protests over alleged fraud that led to the deaths of about 200 people. | Ginbot 7 (15 May) was named after the date of the 2005 elections, which were marred by protests over alleged fraud that led to the deaths of about 200 people. |