Former Gambella regional government President Okello Akway, 52, who was charged with terrorism and plot to take over the Gambella Regional State with an attempt of establishing an autonomous state of Gambella by overthrowing the government in June 2014, has been beaten by prison guards for allegedly entering a fight with another prisoner last week.

He was abducted from South Sudan by Ethiopian securities.

He was reportedly forced to sit in the sunshine after the beating.

Okello is being detained in Kilinto prison in the outskirts of Addis Abeba. He reportedly entered the minor fight with another prisoner who was allegedly placed in the prison as a mole and later accused the ex-president.

Okello administered the region from 2003 to 2004 before he fled the country in 2005.