By Colette Derworiz - The Canadian Press

Alberta politician says Canadian humanitarians detained in Ethiopia received bail

Mar 3, 2020 | 3:11 PM

EDMONTON – An Alberta-based humanitarian organization says 13 Canadians who work with the charity and were detained in Ethiopia have received bail.

Canadian Humanitarian said Saturday that a group of 10 Canadian volunteers, three Canadians on staff and two Ethiopian staff members were in custody in the African country on allegations they were practising medicine without permission and had dispensed expired medication.

The charity has disputed the allegations.

It confirms in a statement that documentation is being processed that could see the detainees released on bail as early as Wednesday.

It says the group’s members will be free to move within the country, but it’s unclear whether they will be able to return to Canada until the allegations are dealt with by the courts.

James Murphy, a brother-in-law of one of the detainees, says the situation has been distressing for the families.

Canadian Humanitarian is not releasing any information on the identities of the Canadians.