US diplomat killed in the Ethiopian capital

February 5, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — A U.S. young diplomat has been found dead at his house in Addis Ababa last Saturday however the circumstances of his death remain unclearas police has begun to probe the murder.

The US State Department said Brian Adkins was killed in the Ethiopian capital adding that they are coordinating closely with the competent authorities the ongoing investigation.

"It could have been random crime. We just don’t know," said an official from the State Department speaking today to reporters in Washington, on condition of anonymity.

Adkins had not been the subject of any threats, the official further said.

Ethiopian police spokesperson Demsash Hailu said the diplomat’s death could be a homicide but that the investigation was still under way.

The 25-year-old diplomat was a foreign service officer who worked in the consular section of the embassy.

Ethiopia was his first foreign assignment for the State Department.

(ST)