Ethiopian Muslim Kid Killed,Police forces refused to release the dead body unless the family pays 3,000 Birr.
Ethiopian Muslim Kid Killed, Body Detained
ADDIS ABABA – Ethiopian federal police refused to release the body of a 7-year-old Muslim boy who was killed in protests that erupted following Friday prayer, January 4, against Ethiopia’s regime.
“They killed the baby boy to take away our self esteem, to immerse us in sorrow,” a Muslim protester told reporters on the scene, Indepth Africa website reported.
“Isn’t this the epitome of barbaric cruelty laid bare?”
The young boy, named Kiya, was killed on Friday 4 January 2013 in the eastern city of Harrer during a demonstration led by Muslims against the ruling regime.
The boy’s corpse was kept in the hospital as his destitute single mother, who was also shot several times, fought for his life, doctors in the city’s main hospital said.
Police forces refused to release the dead body unless the family pays 3,000 Birr.
Rushing to bury the young boy before sunset, the grieving Muslim community of Harrer raised the money at 3pm on Friday.
Protests accused the federal police boss Workeneh Gebeyhu of ordering the killing of kids who join anti government rallies in order to demoralize and terrorize parents and neighboring families.
The same tactic has been used by the ruling Tigrayan People's Liberation Front (TPLF) for the past 21 years, witnesses added.
“But PM Hailemariam Desalegn and Workneh Gebeyhu got it all wrong,” the anonymous Muslim protester said.
“We will never surrender.”
Protests have rocked Ethiopia over the past months over government interference in the religious affairs of the Muslim community.
Muslims accuse the government of spearheading a campaign in collaboration with the umbrella Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs (Majlis) to indoctrinate their community with the ideology of a sect called "Ahbash".
The Ethiopian government has put the Ahbash in charge of the religious affairs of Ethiopia's Muslims.
Muslims say the government move is in violation of the constitution, which prevents the government interference in religious affairs.
Protesters also accuse authorities of fixing elections for the Majlis, the community’s main representative body, after jailing Muslim leaders who would have participated in the vote.
OnIslam & News Agencies
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