Man charged with shackling girl for years
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Hundreds of women have rallied to demand the death penalty for a man who allegedly shackled a girl with dogs for 18 years and abused her, the Ethiopian News Agency reported yesterday.
The unnamed suspect from Adama - a town 63 miles east of the capital of Addis Ababa - imprisoned the girl from age 4, the agency said.
The man took custody of her when his mother, who had been caring for the girl, died. The victim’s own mother suffered from mental illness.
“The suspect tortured, violated, and brutally abused the girl for 18 years, shackling her with dogs in a secluded room inside his home,’’ police told the news agency.
“He starved the girl, only throwing her crumbs of bread once in a while, and she was forced to share the dogs’ food to survive. She is in poor health.’’
The case echoes that of Austrian Josef Fritzl, whose trial for imprisoning his daughter in a basement for 24 years and fathering seven children with her captured attention around the world.
Fritzl was sentenced to life in prison in March.
Police say the girl - who is now 22 - is being treated in a hospital in the town.
The mayor of Adama, Tadelle Shigute, said the man will appear in court soon but did not give a date.
“It’s hoped that he will receive a penalty that is befitting his crimes,’’ the mayor said. 