ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (AP) – Ethiopian authorities said they will prosecute individuals seen in a gruesome video in which armed men appear to burn at least three people alive.
The video, shared widely on social media since Friday, has sparked anger among many in this country facing war in its northern region as well as ethnic strife in other parts.
The Ethiopian Government Communication Service confirmed that the incident – in which armed men drag and then burn three people in civilian clothing – took place in the Guba area of the Benishangul-Gumuz region.
“The video that circulated on social media depicts a very gruesome and inhumane act,” it said. “Whatever their motive is, the government will prosecute those who committed the horrible crime.”
Authorities didn’t say when the incident happened or if any suspects had been taken into custody. The AP was not able to verify the authenticity of the video.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government has been struggling to contain ethnic-based-attacks that spiralled out of control in recent months. Thousands of civilians are believed to have died in the conflict that persists in some parts of the northeastern Afar region.
