ADDIS ABABA, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Two Ethiopians have been charged in the Ethiopian Federal High Court with inciting violence during the Oct. 2, 2016, Irrecha religious festival, which witnessed a stampede that killed at least 55 people.
State affiliated media outlet Radio Fana reported on Sunday that the two, identified as Tufa Melka and Kedir Bedasso, were in particular accused of snatching microphones from elders during the festival and broadcasting inflammatory statements that led a crowd to initiate violence.
Irrecha is an annual religious festival where Ethiopia's largest ethnic group, the Oromos, congregate on Bishoftu city, 45 kms south of Addis Ababa, in their thousands.
The Ethiopian Federal High Court adjourned the case to June 1, 2017 to hear from defense and prosecution opening statements.
Months of deadly protests by Oromos against alleged economic and political discrimination by the central government culminated in a protest on Oct. 2, 2016 at the Irrecha ceremony, which prompted security forces to respond with tear gas and warning shots, creating a panic.
The panic resulted in a stampede that led to the death of at least 55 people. The victims died mainly from suffocation or falling into nearby ditches.
