Ethiopian officials say 40 people arrested over the past week had been plotting a campaign of assassinations and strategic bombings aimed at disrupting public order. Most of the suspects are said to be current or former army officers, reports Peter Heinlein of VOA.
 
Communications minister Bereket Simon Friday attempted to reverse earlier claims that the government had foiled an attempted coup led by Dr Berhanu Nega, an exiled political leader living in the United States.

 

Dr Berhanu (in picture - AP Photo/John Zeedick) is one of the leaders of Ginbot 7, a movement for Justice, Freedom and Democracy (its mission statement  is available in amharic at www.ginbot7.org)