ADDIS ABABA, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Security forces in Ethiopia's western Benishangul Gumuz regional state have arrested 108 individuals in connection with riots in May that left at least 10 people dead, state affiliated media outlet Radio Fana reported on Thursday.
Shiferaw Chelibo, Chief Communications Officer, Benishangul Gumuz regional state, told Radio Fana the detainees include 20 police officers suspected of active involvement in the riots.
He further said criminal charges are being prepared on the 108 suspects, with the detainees already brought before local courts for preliminary criminal hearings.
Benishangul Gumuz regional state capital city, Assosa and its surrounding localities were scenes of violent ethnic clashes in May between locals and other ethnic groups residing in the region.
Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, located in western Ethiopia along the Ethiopia-Sudan border, hosts Ethiopia's largest development project - the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which is under construction on the Blue Nile River.
