An Ethiopian high court Tuesday sentenced Tilahun Yami, who was found guilty of killing the prominent Oromo singer Hachalu Hundessa, to life in prison.
Yami, as the first defendant, was found guilty of violating anti-terrorism proclamation 1176/2012 Article 3. the second defendant on the file, Kebede Gemechu who was found guilty of violating penal codes 540 was sentenced 18 years.
At least 166 people were killed in an unrest that came following the killing of Hundessa.
Police had said 145 civilians and 11 security personnel died in Oromia region alone. Ten people have been killed in the capital Addis Ababa.
The motive behind the killing of the famous singer remains unclear. Hachalu had said he had received death threats.
His songs focused on the rights of the country’s Oromo people, Ethiopia’s largest ethnic group, and became anthems in a wave of protests that led to the downfall of the previous prime minister in 2018.
MG/abj/APA