Feyisa Lilesa (photo credit: http://meltnews.com)
Feyisa Lilesa (photo credit: http://meltnews.com)

Ethiopian Olympian Feyisa Lilesa, who said he wanted to seek asylum after making an anti-government gesture in Rio, has arrived in the US.

The marathon runner crossed the line in second place with his arms above his head in solidarity with Oromo activists who are staging protests in Ethiopia.

He repeated the gesture later at a press conference, saying his life would be in danger if he returned home.

The government has been accused of brutally cracking down on protesters.

The country’s Information Minister Getachew Reda told the BBC at the time that he had nothing to fear and would be welcomed home as a hero.

But speaking after the race, Mr Feyisa said he might be killed if he returned.

“If not kill me, they will put me in prison. I have not decided yet, but maybe I will move to another country.”

Read more at: BBC News

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