AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands – Despite selling out, Circus Ethiopia festival is cancelled in the Netherlands as almost all young performers had defected unexpectedly this week.

“Circus Ethiopia is cancelled because all the performers are returned back to Ethiopia.” the crowd was told in Leiden city yesterday. The organizers have nothing to say than that to convince the very disappointed crowd.

Circus Ethiopia came in the Netherlands last week to perform at several cities. Their cheerful acrobatics was hailed by crowds in their first performance. But within a day of two all the group – 22 of the Ethiopian performers, aged between 13 and 24 – had disappeared.

“We are under virtual prison; we are deprived of our freedoms in Ethiopia.” Four of the defect said in a brief interview with EMF. Youngsters are primary victims of Meles Zenawi’s repression policy after the May 2005 rigged elections. The regime’s security forces follow every movement of any group activities. “I am faded up of the beating of the federal police,” says a young performer. “I couldn’t stand it any more!”

A female performer, who preferred anonymity for safety’s sake, said that Circus Ethiopia management had consistently abused, underpaid and overworked them. “Our manager Gizaw Meshesha has taken all our passports on arrival in the Netherlands; he also took 30,000 birr as collateral from each of us. He warned us not to have a phone and not to talk to anyone.” She said.

Mr. Gizaw Meshesha is reportedly hunting for the youngsters to get them deported.

Income from their Netherlands tour goes straight to the circus’ manager and the performers were unpaid.

Four of Circus Ethiopia members who were disappeared right up on arrival are said to have been under police custody. Their initial refugee applications were refused by the Dutch Government on the ground that they could not reveal their identities. The Dutch refuge organization fears that the youngsters, aged under 18, might face deportation.

In a related story, four cyclists of tigrian origin decided not to return to Ethiopia after a competition in the Netherlands last week. “There is a time bomb about to explode any time in the country,” says one of the four cyclists who were sponsored by DIR foundation. “Every social gathering ends up in a strong protest against the regime.” He added.

It has also been reported that parents are warning their children abroad not to come to Ethiopia for the Millennium fest amid the silent tension in Addis that grew from day to day since the rigged May 2005 elections.