Ethiopian Corruption Watchdog Arrests 51 Suspects

Ethiopian authorities have carried out another wave of arrests that brings the number of people detained on suspicions of corruption to more than 50.

Berhanu Assefa of the country's federal ethics and anti-corruption commission says at least 51 people have been arrested in the past few weeks. He said the list of suspects could grow longer.

The latest campaign of arrests started May 10 with the arrest of a senior Cabinet minister. Twelve others, including the minister's senior aides, their family and prominent businessmen were also arrested.

Most of those arrested are tax and customs officials and businessmen. Ali Sulaiman, the head of the commission, told parliament that the tax collections and customs sector have been identified as corruption-prone areas that hold back the country's economy.