Ethiopia: Death of a university student suspicious as family denied autopsy

 

Shume Lema

ESAT News (January 31, 2017)

The death of a student last week at the Adigrat University in Tigray has been called suspicious by family and friends as authorities deny autopsy and security forces accompany the body all the way to the burial, preventing family members from inspecting the body of their loved one.

Shume Lema, from the country’s eastern city of Dire Dawa, was found dead in his dormitory on Tuesday January 24, 2017 at the height of an ongoing protest by students against what reports say was lack of potable water at the University.

The body of the biochemical student was delivered to the family by security forces who would not allow family members inspect the body.

Students who told ESAT that they had seen the body believe the death was homicide.

Attempt by ESAT to reach University officials was to no avail.

Students at the Adigrat University have been protesting against lack of water in the campus and other administrative grievances at the University.