Police targets criminal ‘hangouts’

Ethiopian police have arrested more than 600 people during a raid on bars in Addis Ababa. The police commander Getu Aragaw said the operation was an attempt to tackle rising crime. BBC News reports that they targeted 12 bars which are popular with people who smoke shisha pipes or chew the narcotic plant, khat. Although those activities are not illegal, bars are seen as a popular hangout for criminals. Eight suspects remain in police custody. As previously reported in Legalbrief Today, the authorities in neighbouring South Sudan have banned all clubs and limited bar hours to curb 'immoral acts’ in the capital, Juba. Jubek state governor Augustino Wani said bars would have their hours limited to early evening, and would be forbidden from operating during the day.