Ethiopia violence death toll rises to 239

SANAA, July 8 (YPA) – The Ethiopian police announced on Wednesday the death toll from the violence that occurred last week rose to 239 people.
“Because of the disturbances in the region, nine police officers, five militia members and 215 civilians lost their lives,” Agence France-Presse quoted the Commissioner of Police in Oromia as saying.
Earlier, the police had announced the killing of 10 others in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
Violence erupted in Ethiopia on Tuesday, after the death of Ethiopian activist and artist Hashalu Hondisa, who was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Addis Ababa on Monday.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abi Ahmed, condemned the killing, which he described as a tragedy, and pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Abi Ahmed also accused foreign and local parties of seeking to destabilize his country and sow discord among the people, according to the Associated Press.