Brigadier General Tefera Mamo was a former commander of the Amhara Special Forces that are allied to the federal army in its fight against rebels from Tigray.

He had been critical of the government after he was removed from his position in February.

His wife Menen Haile has told the BBC that she has confirmed the general was under detention in Bahir Dar city, the capital of the Amhara region.

But there are still many unanswered questions including how he was taken there and the accusations against him.

The BBC’s attempts to talk to the region’s security office and police have not been successful.

In a rare press statement on Wednesday, the Amhara region’s president Yilkal Kefale confirmed that some suspects were being detained in efforts to enforce law and order - without providing numbers.

He said those found not to have participated in criminal activities would be freed soon.