On February 23, 2024, the Regional State Bureau for Peace and Security of Oromi confirmed the murder of four monks of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the Addis Standard newspaper reports.
The Ethiopian Church issued an official statement in which it blamed the attack and murder of "armed militants" who committed the crime on February 20.
According to the statement of the Diocese of Eastern Sheva, the dead are four monks – Abatekelmariam Asrat, Abba Kidane Mariam Tilahun, Abba Gebremariam Abebe and Hailemariam Voldesenbet, who were killed after the abduction.
The diocese also reported that another monk, Kidanemariam Gebresenbat, survived but was injured in the attack.
The Oromia Peace and Security Bureau reported that members of the OLF Shene (Oromo Liberation Front) organization were suspected of committing the crime and stated that the police were already taking action.
According to the Church, the ancient monastery was seriously damaged by repeated looting and arson.
The Ethiopian Church has called on federal and regional security agencies to take swift measures to protect the monks and the monastery in order to prevent further attacks and damage to the national heritage site.
The Oromia Peace and Security Bureau has asked local residents to cooperate with security forces in apprehending suspected criminals, while promising to keep the public informed of the results of "law enforcement measures" against the armed group.
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His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia expressed condolences to Patriarch Abuna Matthias of Ethiopia in connection with the murder of the inhabitants of the monastery of St. Abo the Great in the village of Zukwalla in Ethiopia. In the text of the message, in particular, it says: "With pain in my heart I received the news of the brutal murder of the inhabitants of the ancient monastery of St. Abo the Great in the village of Zukwalla.
On behalf of the Russian Orthodox Church, I express my sincere sympathy to Your Holiness and the brethren of the monastery. I hope that the local authorities will take measures to bring to justice those who committed this terrible crime."

Four Christian monks were killed in Ethiopia
25.02.2024, 13:30