ADDIS ABABA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopia Federal Attorney General Office (FAGO) on Saturday said it has charged 24 individuals with terror and criminal offences.

In a press statement, FAGO said the 24 individuals which include prominent ethnic Oromo opposition figures Jawar Mohammed and Bekele Gerba have been charged with terror and criminal offences.

The 24 individuals are accused of trying to incite ethnic and religious based conflicts, as well as engaging in telecom fraud and possession of illicit firearms.

"The Federal Attorney General has opened 10 concurrent charges before the Federal High Court, Addis Ababa, Lideta district Criminal Bench."

"The charges will be presented to the defendants when they are expected to appear before court on September 20," said the FAGO statement.

Jawar Mohammed and Bekele Gerba and scores of Oromo opposition figures were arrested in the aftermath of the murder of a popular ethnic Oromo singer Hachalu Hundessa.

Hundessa was killed on June 29 in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa in unclear circumstances.

Deadly protests erupted in Addis Ababa, as well as various cities in Ethiopia's largest region, Oromia in the aftermath of the popular singer's murder.

The incident triggered a 23-day internet shutdown that had been in place since June 30, a move the Ethiopian government said has helped to control the situation and curb unwanted destruction by violent protestors who have "hidden personal agenda."

The Ethiopian government has previously said 239 people were killed in the violence.

The Ethiopian government said about 10,000 people suspected of involvement in the violence had been arrested. Enditem

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