ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

A criminal complaint has been filed against Ethiopia’s former intelligence chief Getachew Assefa for alleged gross human rights violations.

According to local broadcaster FANA, Assefa, who remained the country’s spy chief until April 2018, is charged with 25 other former officials and staffers of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

Assefa and three other former officials -- Atsebha Gidey, Assefa Belay, and Shishay Leul -- were charged in absentia at the Lideta Federal High Court, the broadcaster quoted a press release by the attorney general’s office as saying.

Ethiopia is undertaking wide ranging reforms including in the army and intelligence fronts.