Police face fury after death of Ethiopian man

(July 17, 2011, (Flemington VIC, Australia))--MORE than 250 people from the local African-Australian community gathered in Flemington yesterday to demand a full investigation into the death of Michael Atakelt, 22, found dead in the Maribyrnong River on July 7.

''Michael Atakelt, who was of Ethiopian background, was last seen by his girlfriend on June 26. His mother, Askalu Tella, rang Footscray police several times and went to the station daily from July 4 to 6 to make a missing person's report.''

Many present, representing local families and community groups, said the young man's death was yet another tragedy for a community already grieving for their youth, who they claim are harassed by some Victoria Police officers. The man's father, Getachen Atakelt Seyoum, said Footscray police officers had told him his son had no injuries when found.

But when he identified him, he had a damaged left eyeball, a smashed nose, a big scratch and blood on his face, and his body was covered in bruises, he said. Michael Atakelt had been held by Footscray police overnight and released on June 26, the day he went missing. Read more from The age Victoria »

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