Ethiopia frees 336 detained during unrest

[struggle4progress]

ANTHONY MITCHELL

Associated Press


ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Ethiopia has freed 336 prisoners seized in a crackdown after clashes with police over elections left 36 people dead, officials said Friday.

Britain has frozen a planned $36.1 million increase in aid to Ethiopia and called for the detainees rounded up after last week's bloodshed to be charged or released. Human rights organizations said thousands were arrested. Police have not given a figure.

More people will be freed, government spokesman Zemedkun Teckle said, announcing that 336 were let go - the first reported releases since the fighting broke out.

"Anyone found not to have been involved in political unrest will be freed," Teckle said. <snip>

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