Addis Abeba – Taye Dendea, the former State Minister of Peace, has been freed after spending a year in detention. He has now reunited with his family, bringing relief to his supporters.
His wife, Sintayehu Alemayehu, shared the news with Addis Standard. “Taye called us himself after his release. A nearby family helped him,” she said.
The Federal Supreme Court Cassation Bench granted him bail on December 2. However, his release was delayed. On December 4, as Taye was leaving Kilinto Prison, masked individuals intercepted him and took him to the Federal Police Crime Investigation Bureau.
“They claimed he was ‘wanted’ and showed a letter from a higher authority, but we weren’t allowed to read it,” Sintayehu explained. She also noted that security forces, including masked individuals and federal police, were present around the prison since morning.
Further delays arose from a clerical error in the court’s bail order. “It seemed like the prison officials were stalling for time,” Sintayehu said.
Taye was arrested in December 2023 and accused of spreading anti-peace propaganda and possessing unauthorized firearms. In August 2024, the Federal High Court Lideta Branch dismissed the propaganda charges, citing his constitutional right to free expression. However, the court allowed the firearms charge to proceed.
After a year of legal battles and delays, Taye is finally free, ending a challenging chapter for him and his family.
