Ex-government Minister, Bereket Simon Apprehended over Corruption

Addis Ababa January 23/2019 Bereket Simon, former minister of Government Communication Affairs Office, arrested in connection with corruption.

He was arrested over corruption in connection to TIRET, an endowment company of the Amhara Democratic Party, one of the coalitions of the ruling EPRDF.  

Bereket, a founding member of the ruling coalition, EPRDF, was apprehended along with Tadesse Kassa, for allegedly conducting corrupt activities, while they lead the company.

Zigale Gebeyehu, Anti-corruption Commissioner of the Amhara Regional State said that the regional police work in collaboration with Addis Ababa and Federal police to apprehend the suspects.

The suspects were detained as the findings of financial audit conducted on five of the seven companies confirmed that there were financial waste and violations of procedures.

He said financial audit is being conducted on the remaining two companies.

According to the Commissioner, the suspects will be tried in the Amhara regional state. 

In August 2018, the Amhara Democratic Party (ADP) suspended both from membership of its central committee and said they were being investigated for inappropriate conducts while leading TIRET Corporation.