Tamiru Demisse
Mulugeta Zewde
ESAT News (September 16, 2016)
Mulugeta Zewde, an Ethiopian athlete in Norway, who two years ago made the protest gesture now made famous by Feyisa Lilesa at the Rio Olympics, pleaded help from Ethiopians and the international community as his health is deteriorating and the Ethiopian regime prevented him from returning home.
In an interview with ESAT, the athlete said his status was in jeopardy as the Norwegian government refused to issue a resident permit and his request to return home was turned down by the Ethiopian regime which accused the athlete of being a “terrorist.” Mulugeta could not control his tears as he described his situation to ESAT.
The athlete crossed his arms over his head two years ago in two races in Norway as he won and crossed the finish line drawing attention to the plight Ethiopians at home and the violence perpetrated by the regime against his people.
The athlete is now diagnosed with heart problems, which he said was caused by the strenuous marathon training, and is requesting help from Ethiopians and world community.
“I am in a very tough time in my life. I can’t sleep. More than the heart issues, the mental stress is killing me,” Mulugeta said as he weeps in most of the interview.
Volunteer Ethiopians are working on a fundraising campaign to help the athlete, it was learnt.
Meanwhile, Tamiru Demissie, who showed the protest gesture at the Rio Paralympics on Monday as he finished second winning the silver medal in the 1500 competition said he had decided not to return home.
Speaking to ESAT about the cruelty of the Ethiopian regime, the athlete, whose vision is impaired said he “doesn’t want to lose other parts of his body” by returning to a country where torture by the regime’s security against dissents is the norm.
The top four finishers at the 1500m Rio Paralympics competitions, including Tamiru, made history on Monday clocking a time faster than the gold medal winner of the 1500m last month.