Ethiopian police used force Friday to disperse hundreds
of people protesting against targeted attacks on Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia. Many
foreign workers in Saudi Arabia are fleeing or are under arrest amid a
crackdown on the kingdom’s 9 million migrant laborers. Close to 500 Ethiopians
have been repatriated. Last weekend, Saudi residents fought with Ethiopians,
and video emerged of a crowd dragging an Ethiopian from his house and beating
him. The government’s spokesman, Shimelis Kemal, said Friday’s demonstration
was broken up because organizers had not sought permission to hold such a
protest. He also said many of the demonstrators carried anti-Arab messages that
sought to “distort” strong relations between Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia. He
declined to say how many people were arrested and expressed regret for police
actions against journalists. One protester, Asfaw Michael, who was beaten, said
he didn’t understand why Ethiopia wanted to shield Saudi Arabia from the
protest given the anti-Ethiopian actions inside Saudi Arabia.Police units
blocked roads to prevent the protest at the Saudi Arabia Embassy from growing.
Some two dozen people were detained. The police also forced some journalists to
delete photos. Source ( Washington past
)
Friday, November 15, 2013
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