This family crisis was told to me a few hours ago. She was born in Addis as were her parents. Had only been to Tigray a few times and did not speak Tigrinya well. She and her husband had gone to Addis Ababa University and been active in the community helping the lest fortunate of all ethnicities for the past few years. Their three children went to a local elementary school. No involvement in politics at all. They were church going to the local Orthodox church. Their neighborhood was not known to have many Tigray. Many of her neighbors who had previously been friendly and interacting had withdrawn from contact increasingly.
Several weeks ago federal police came and took her husband away and took her bank deposit book informing her that their joint professional office was closed as was her bank account. They searched her phone and erased it. Friends and family have been bringing food but this week the local neighborhood “watch” group told those bringing food to stop lest they would be arrested.
Today they took “Tigist”(not her real name). The authorities just took her and put her in truck with many others. No time to arrange anything. No message to anyone. Her next door neighbor heard the three children all under 7 at home crying. Now her neighbor is wondering if she is next.
Another day of the year of injustice to innocent Tigray of Ethiopia. Nobody knows exactly how many are detained or even where they are. They have no rights of habeas corpus or even to a lawyer. Trying to find out where they are can gets the one asking in detainment just for asking the question. How many is speculated to be at least 40,000 from Addis Ababa and growing everyday.