DJIBOUTI(Ethiomedia) – Two Ethiopian pilots who defected to Djibouti last week opposing the June 8 killings of unarmed demonstrators and university students in Addis Ababa and other cities in the country today called on human rights groups to stop government move for their deportation.

Captain Behailu Gebre and Co-pilot Abiyot manguday were on a routine flight mission when they defected to the neighbouring country aboard MI-35 fighter helicopter from their base in the eastern Ethiopian town of Dire Dawa.

Capt. Behailu was an experienced MiG fighter pilot. He was barred flying the jets on political grounds. Most of Ethiopia’s pilots are former university students known for their academic excellence but with a history of political dissent against the tyrannical regime in power. As a result, several pilots have ended up seeking political asylum elsewhere.

“Espionage and surveillance on every pilot has been rife in the Air Force community. This is aggravated by the worsening human rights conditions in the country. In the eyes of the government, every Ethiopian pilot is a suspect, and talking about the political turmoil either on the phone or using SMS (short message system) by mobile phones is strictly forbidden,” a source told Ethiomedia.

The pilots also called on fellow Ethiopians around the world to inform their critical situation to human rights groups as Air Force generals in Addis were threatening other Air Force pilots that their fate would be to be dragged back to prison from any country they may think would be a safe haven.

Security forces of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi June 8 killed 36 and wounded over 100 unarmed demonstrators. Locally condemned as a ruthless tyrant, Meles ordered a nationwide crackdown in which over 3600 have been detained

The US-based Human Rights Watch on June 14 held the government responsible for the killings and campaign of terror in the country.