April 1, 2006
“I thought I was going to live in jail forever”
Yesterday's Sub-Saharan Informer had an exclusive interview with Biniam Taddese, the 14-16-18-year old who was arrested and put on trial with the opposition politicians, journalists and alleged rioters - then released last week.
SSI: Let's first talk of your arrest. How did police take you into custody?Biniam: It was November 22nd, 2005 that police took me. I was at school the whole morning and when I got back home no one was there, so I went out to play football with my friends. But on my way police stopped me and took me to the Woreda 21, Kirkos sub-city police station. I didn't know at first why they were taking me, and I was sure they would release me when they found out they were mistaken. After I reached to the station, they told me that I have taken part in the violence that took place in Addis Ababa in October, burning the house of a lady living nearby. I was totally confused and told them I would never do that and I am only 14 years old. But no one was listening to what I had to say. Even the police registered my age as 16. I even tried to show them the exam result paper I received that day from school, but the police torn it up.
Posted by aheavens at April 1, 2006 6:38 AM