Oromo Lawyer Kidnapped and Killed in West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region

On October 6th, OLLAA received a verified report of the suspected extra-judicial killing of a lawyer named Wayineshet Abbaabaa in the West Shewa Zone, Ejerie district, Holeta town. The late Ms. Abbaaabaa had been missing for almost a week when her dead body was found dumped in a river with a piece of cloth tied around her neck. Oromia police found her body in a rural location a few miles away from Holeta town. 

Ms. Abbaabaa was a resident of Holeta town in the West Shewa Zone of Oromia Region, where she practiced as a lawyer. According to her brother, Mr. Mokonena Abbaabba, who gave an  interview on BBC Afaan Oromo on October 6th concerning the death of his late sister, Ms.Abaaabaa had visited her family home in Addis Ababa for the Masqala festival, which is celebrated on Monday, September 27th. The following day, after taking part in a cheerful celebration with family members, she reported back to her work station in Holeta town and confirmed to her family she had arrived safe and sound. 

On Wednesday, September 29th, the report states that Ms Abbaabaa’s phone kept on ringing out when a family member tried to reach her. The family called her place of work and found out that she had not reported to work that day. Another close family member was sent to confirm whether she was at her residence. According to the report, when her house was checked it was found open, however Ms Abbaabaa was nowhere to be found.

A search operation was immediately launched by local police and good samaritan community members. Ms Abbaabaa’s dead body was discovered one week later. The late Ms Abbaabaa, who was in her early thirties, had recently gotten married, but had yet to be blessed with a child at the time of her death. The family claim to have received a phone call from a stranger on friday, October 1st, demanding 400,000 Ethiopian Birr [approximately US$8,478] to set Ms Abbaabaa free, but they allege to have not taken him seriously because of the background noise heard when they received the call, which they say created doubt. According to their account, it appears the person who made the call may have been in the marketplace at the time. 

The following day, the report continues that when a family member called this stranger back, it was picked up by another person who denied making the previous call. When his identity was questioned, he disclosed that he was an Oromo son currently staying in the bush, but refused to disclose his name.

The family allegedly do not suspect Ms Abbaabaa husband, who worked at a considerable distance from his wife’s workplace, as they had never heard of any disagreement between them. Wayineshet Abbaabaa was buried on October 7th at Holeta burial cemetery.

A photo of the late Wayineshet obtained from her friend’s official facebook account.

The late Wayineshet Abbaabaa has been described by friends and family as a brave lawyer who stood against impunity and defended human rights without fear or favour.