Christian Tadelle, an MP representing the opposition National Movement of Amhara (NAMA), was taken from his home on Friday night in Addis Ababa.

Eyewitnesses told BBC Amharic the operation to detain Christian was carried out by forces in federal police uniforms.

Although there has been no official confirmation of his arrests, multiple sources and family members said the security forces detained him. During the time of arrest, Christian resisted by saying, “I’m a law-abiding citizen, why do you want from me?” One of the policemen punched him in the face, according to a family member who described the incident to the BBC.

Another police officer went to the bedroom and requested the passports of Christian and his family, and the passports were obtained without difficulty, according to the source quoted by the BBC.

On the following day, Saturday morning, Christian was taken to his home, where the police conducted searches, the report added.

There is no mention of where he is being held.

Christian has urged the Abiy Ahmed administration to end security operations and the killings of innocent people in the Amhara region, in his Facebook post two days ago.

The declaration of a state of emergency followed the call from the Amhara region’s head, Yilkal Kefale, who expressed that the situation has become difficult to control using regular law enforcement mechanisms.

Under the emergency measures, people can be detained without an arrest warrant for the duration of the state of emergency. It was not immediately clear if Christian’s arrest was under a state of emergency and his immunity from prosecution was stripped.

There has been fighting reported in Bahir Dar and Gondar towns on Saturday. The sound of gunfire and explosions was heard throughout the day in the regional capital, Bahir Dar in a fighting that had lasted for hours, according to the media platform Wazema. The army has clashed with youths who blocked roads in Kebele 13 and 14. The army has also deployed tanks and used heavy weapons in the area close to Gelege Hiwot Hospital, Wazema reported.