Killing of Ethiopian singer Hachalu leads to 81 deaths

– Following his death, most people took to the streets to demonstrate in what turned out to be running battles with police

– 35 people, including a prominent politician Jawar Mohammed, have been arrested following Hachalu’s killing

Celebrated Ethiopian singer Hachalu Hundessa was on Monday, June 29, sent to his maker prematurely by unknown people.

Police reports intimated that the musician was shot on Monday night while cruising the streets of Ethiopia in his car.

BBC reported that Hachalu’s death was confirmed by Ethiopia Police who stated the motive of the killing is yet to be established.

Kenyan Digest has learnt police have so far arrested two people in connection with the killing.

Following Hachalu’s death, his fans took to the streets and destroyed property of significant value, a move that led to running battles with police.

Oromia police chief confirmed about 81 people including three special police force members died following the scuffles.

“So far 81 people have been killed, including three Oromia special police force members,” Ararsa Merdasa, the Oromia police chief, told the press.

The situation got so tense that the Ethiopian authorities shut down the internet on Tuesday, July 30, in parts of the country as the protests against the singer’s killing spread across Oromia region, Ethiopian.

Police confirmed 35 people, including a prominent politician Jawar Mohammed, have been arrested following Hachalu’s killing.

According to sources in Ethiopia, the singer, 34, recently revealed that he had received death threats.

He was buried on Thursday, July 2.