26/04/2007Addis Ababa - Dozens of students were injured on Thursday in clashes with each other and the police at Ethiopia's largest university, said students.
One student said he saw another killed, and about 50 wounded in the clashes at Addis Ababa University. Other students also reported dozens of injured.
But federal police spokesperson Demsash Hailu said no one had died, although there had been some injuries. There are "no dead, peace has been restored in the area," Demsash said, adding that police reinforcements had bought the situation under control.
Students and police said the riots began on campus on Wednesday evening, sparked by the alleged theft of the body organs of a dead student by a government hospital.
"The doctors took over some of his body parts without any authorisation from his family," said a demonstrator, asking to remain anonymous. "We asked the dean of the university to intervene but he refused. That is why we are demonstrating."
Students also cited the poor quality of food served in the university canteen as a reason for the riots. University officials were unavailable for comment on Thursday.
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