An Italian aid worker was back in
Italy Monday after an eight-day arrest in Ethiopia.
Alberto Livoni, 65, was taken by security forces from his home
in Addis Ababa on November 6 and was held along with two local
operators of the VIS development aid NGO.
According to media rumours the Ethiopian authorities suspected
him of giving money to Tigrè rebels.
VIS works with the Salesian brothers order in Ethiopia in
education projects and it very active in northern Tigrè.
A group of Salesians were also released along with Livoni.
Ethiopian police are continuing a crackdown on a suspected
Tigrean 'fifth column' in Addis Ababa.
"I'm glad I'm back in Italy," Livoni said Monday, according to
the VIS website.
"I'm OK now, despite there having been complicated days and
strong concern, but thanks to the constant contact with the
Italian embassy I remained confident of my release.
"My thoughts now go to my Ethiopian colleagues who are still
detained," Livoni said, referring to the two local VIS operators
on which "our concern is still high", said the NGO.
According to media sources, the authorities wanted to make sure
that some $20,000 paid out by Livoni had not gone to the rebels.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has been fighting
government forces for several years.
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