Former Ethiopian President Gidada Negasso said the attackers killed the chief opposition politician in Tigray, Mr Argawi Gabreyohannes, who is a member of the leading opposition Arana Tigray Party. Police Spokesman Demsash Hailu could not be reached for confirmation, but opposition party officials said the killings in Makelle were election-related. They said Gabreyohannes was stabbed to death by six attackers at his home early Tuesday. The murdered party chief had been arrested severally, said Dr Negasso, a member of a coalition of opposition political parties.
Another official, identified as Ayallow, survived after he was attacked by assailants. He had been released from prison after being arrested for distributing party campaign material. The officials were parliamentary candidates cleared to represent the opposition party coalition, Forum for Democratic Dialogue (Medrek) considered the biggest challenge to the ruling Ethiopian People’s Democratic Revolutionary Front (EPRDF) during the 23 May parliamentary elections in Ethiopia.
Gabreyohannes was the Chief of the Arana Tigray Party Branch Office, the regional Office Head for the Arana Tigray Party and a parliamentary aspirant. The Arana Tigray Party is a leading member of the opposition coalition, Medrek.
