Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC) said it was “concerned” by the arrest of its leaders, Bekele Gerba, Jawar Mohammed, and Hamza Borena who are said to be in Maekelawi detention center, an infamous prison that the government once said was closed.

Their arrest and that of other thirty-two people followed an altercation with the police over the body of Hachalu Hundessa, a popular Oromo singer, who was shot dead on Monday evening in Addis Ababa.

Hachalu’s body was to be transported to his hometown of Ambo for burial, but Jawar and some of his supporters intercepted it and attempted to bring it back to Addis Ababa, said Federal police commissioner Endeshaw Tasew.

OFC  secretariat head Tiruneh Gemta said the party is “concerned” about their arrest and that they were unable to visit them, despite efforts.

He said that Bekele Gerba’s daughter, Bontu, and his driver are among those who have been put under arrest, adding the number of detainees is higher than the number reported by the police officials.