22 killed in Ethiopian election results protest

AT least 22 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in Addis Ababa as Ethiopian police battled demonstrators in a third day of protests over election results fraud.

Doctors at three hospitals in Addis Ababa said 22 people had been brought to their facilities dead or died after arriving following clashes in the downtown area between security forces and protestors.

A reporter saw 11 bodies in a room in the main hospital, at least four with gunshot wounds to the head, and was told they were only some of the casualties from a third day of protests over election results.

The death toll is expected to increase, Western diplomats said.

The protests have erupted despite Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s move to ban demonstrations after the May 15 legislative election. Meles’ party won a majority of seats but opposition parties say there was widespread fraud and intimidation.

The shooting began after the army’s special forces troops arrived at the central business district where protesters were throwing stones.

One of the injured said the army fired on fleeing people. Police also shot at protesters, said another.

“The police were running at the crowd, firing shots. I got shot in my leg,” said a 22-year-old man who identified himself by one name, Getu. “I was just trying to get home to avoid the trouble.”

Dozens were wounded in yesterday’s melee with gunshots to the chest, legs, arms and back. Most of the victims were young men.

Doctors said they were treating more than 100 people, many with serious injuries.

The clashes occurred after two days of violent protests by university students in which one was killed, hundreds were arrested and dozens injured.