Addis Abeba – Taye Dendea, former State Minister of Peace, was taken by masked individuals from the Kilinto Prison gate to the Federal Police Crime Investigation Bureau, despite a court order for his release on bail. His wife, Sintayehu Alemayehu, confirmed the incident to Addis Standard.
“We heard he was taken there, so we went this morning. We saw him and left, but we don’t know what will happen next,” said Sintayehu after visiting him at the investigation office.
On December 2, 2024, the Federal Supreme Court Cassation Bench ruled in favor of Taye’s release on bail. However, as he was leaving Kilinto Prison around 5:00 PM on December 4, masked individuals intercepted him, claiming he was “wanted.” They reportedly presented a letter from a “higher authority,” though its contents were not disclosed to the family.
“It’s hard to say he was released at all. We never saw him leave. They took him immediately,” said Sintayehu, describing the moment. She added that the area around Kilinto Prison was swarming with security forces, including masked individuals and federal police officers, from as early as 11:00 AM that day.
The incident followed a two-day delay in Taye’s release, caused by a clerical error in the court’s order. Sintayehu expressed frustration, saying, “It seems like the prison officials were stalling for this. They delayed over trivial administrative matters.”
Taye, detained since December 2023, faced charges under Articles 251/C and 257/G of the 2004 Criminal Code for allegedly supporting “anti-peace forces” through social media posts during his tenure as State Minister of Peace. Prosecutors also accused him of violating firearm laws, claiming unauthorized weapons were discovered in his residence in Lideta Sub-city.
On August 6, 2024, the Federal High Court Lideta Branch acquitted him of the social media-related charges, ruling his actions fell under his constitutional right to free expression. However, the court allowed the case regarding alleged firearm possession to proceed, requiring Taye to prepare a defense.
Source: Addis standard
