Tadele Belay, a student at Alibo Preparatory School in Jardaga Jarte, was tragically killed during an escalated crackdown by Oromia special forces against the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in the Horo Guduru Wollega zone of Oromia, according to a report from Addis Standard. Tadele, a high schooler, lost his life just days before his 12th-grade national school leaving exam.
Friends of Tadele informed Addis Standard that he was taken away by heavily armed police. His brother recounted that Tadele returned to their family home severely beaten, and the police shot him there while also taking pictures of him.
The report reveals that Tadele had been previously arrested multiple times due to alleged connections with the OLA. His family had also faced harassment and persecution. His brother shared, “They used to hunt him down and give him names.”
During Tadele’s funeral, which took place on March 6, 2021, security forces were present. Disturbingly, just a few days later, one of Tadele’s friends was also arrested.
March 12 2021
