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Lilesa held his arms over his head, wrists crossed, as he
strode across the finish line to claim the silver medal in Rio
de Janeiro - mimicking a sign taken up by protesters in the Horn
of Africa country's Oromiya region.
The province has been riven by unrest for months over land
rights and allegations of human rights violations. After the
race, Lilesa said he feared he would face consequences if he
returned home.
Government spokesman Getachew Reda dismissed his concerns.
"Though it is impossible to express a political stance at (the)
Olympic Games, the athlete will be welcomed while returning home
along with other members of the Ethiopian Olympic squad," he
told state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporation.
In June, Human Rights Watch said at least 400 demonstrators were
killed by security forces during months-long protests triggered
by government plans to include some parts of Oromiya within the
capital Addis Ababa's limits.
Though that scheme has subsequently been shelved, unrest flared
again this month after protesters took to the streets demanding
an end to rights abuses such as the release of jailed
dissidents.
The government disputes the death toll and says the protests are
being staged illegally, stoked by rebel groups and oveseas-based
dissidents.
Ethiopia's Olympics squad is expected to arrive in Addis Ababa
on Tuesday, having won one gold, two silvers and five bronze
medals in Brazil.
(Reporting by Aaron Maasho; Editing by Alison Williams)
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