Woldeselassie Woldemichael, the Director of the Internal/domestic
intelligence department of the National Intelligence and Security Agency
(NISS) has been arrested on "suspicion of corruption".
The Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission of Ethiopia (FEACC)
arrested Woldeselassie for possessing a "wealth with an unknown source,
corruption and abusing and misusing his power".
Although local media reported he was detained on suspicion of corruption,
there have been reports that Woldeselassie was at loggerheads with the head
of NISS, Getachew Assefa. NISS is has the Internal/domestic and
External/international branches.
On a recent meeting of the TPLF held in Mekelle, there was a heated argument
between the two when Woldeselassie accused Getachew of being a "servant of
(the tycoon), Shekih Al Amoudi Mohammed".
As a result, Getachew had Woldeselassie removed from his post accusing him
of corruption. Months after his suspension, Woldeselassie has been detained
on suspicion of corruption last Friday.
The detainee was remanded for 14 days in custody as the FEACC has not
finished its investigation. Local media have reported that Ayechew Tefeta,
who was the Internal Department Head of NISS before Woldeselassie was
detained and charged of corruption last year.
Woldeselassie is a member of the TPLF and is board member of the Tigray
Development Association.
Observers believe FEACC has been used as a tool of attacking internal
dissenters and opposition.