Addis Abeba– Taye Dendea, the former State Minister of Peace, has been released from detention and reunited with his family after being taken by “masked individuals” from the gate of Kilinto Prison following a court decision granting him bail, his wife told Addis Standard.
“Taye called us himself and informed us that he had been released and that a nearby family assisted him,” his wife, Sintayehu Alemayehu, said.
The Federal Supreme Court Cassation Bench ruled on December 2 that Taye should be released on bail. However, on December 4, as he was leaving Kilinto Prison, “masked individuals” intercepted him and transferred him to the Federal Police Crime Investigation Bureau, according to Sintayehu.
She said the incident occurred around 5:00 PM on December 4. “They said he was ‘wanted’ and took him away. They were holding a letter they claimed was from a higher authority, but we were not able to read what it said,” she explained.
Earlier today, Sintayehu reported, “We heard that he was taken there, so we went this morning. We saw him and left. We don’t know what will happen next.”
According to Sintayehu, the incident occurred around 5:00 PM on Wednesday, December 4, when Taye was supposed to be released. “They said he was ‘wanted’ and took him away. They were holding a letter they claimed was from a higher authority, but we were not able to read what it said,” she added.
She further noted that security personnel, including “individuals in civilian clothes, masks, and federal police uniforms,” were present near Kilinto Prison as early as 11:00 AM, accompanied by “two patrol vehicles.”
Sintayehu also pointed out that, despite the court granting bail, Taye spent two additional days in detention due to an administrative delay caused by a clerical error in the court’s order. “It seems like prison officials at Kilinto were waiting for this. They were dragging things out over minor administrative issues,” she said.
Taye, who has been imprisoned since December 2023, was accused of violating Articles 251/C and 257/G of the 2004 Criminal Code. Allegations included disseminating “propaganda messages in support of anti-peace forces” and posting messages “expressing support” on his social media page while serving as State Minister of Peace.
Additionally, prosecutors accused Taye of violating the Firearms Act by possessing “unauthorized weapons,” which were allegedly found at his former residence in Lideta Sub-city, Woreda 6, during a search.
On August 6, 2024, the Federal High Court Lideta Branch acquitted him of the first two charges, ruling that his social media posts and media interviews were within his constitutional right to express opinions. However, the court found sufficient evidence to proceed with the charge of illegal firearm possession and directed Taye to prepare a defense. AS
