Addis Ababa — The Justice Bureau of the Tigray region’s interim administration began releasing prisoners arrested during the two‑year war with the federal government on Monday, April 17. Hadush Tesfa, head of the bureau, told Addis Standard that those being freed were detained amid the conflict for allegedly violating about 30 emergency prohibitions issued by the region.
Most of the detainees were rank‑and‑file members of the provisional regional administration installed by the federal government after its forces took control of the capital, Mekelle, in late November 2020. Others were accused of collaborating with that provisional government. The decision to release the prisoners follows the peace deal signed with the federal government and is intended to allow former inmates to take part in the reconstruction of the war‑torn region.
According to Hadush, the releases include three categories of inmates: those whose cases are still under investigation, those whose cases have been investigated and are facing charges, and those who have already been sentenced. However, prisoners accused of murder, sexual violence, serious injury or property damage will not be released. The release also excludes individuals accused of cooperating with the Eritrean government or anyone holding foreign nationality.
Hadush said the exact number of released prisoners will be disclosed once complete data are collected from woreda administrators. Opposition groups in the region estimate that more than 10,000 prisoners could be affected. On 30 March, the federal government released former Tigray officials after the Ministry of Justice decided to terminate criminal charges against former top civilian and military leaders who were members of the TPLF.
