Former State Minister of Peace and Oromia Council member Taye Dendea was sentenced to seven years and two months in prison on Friday, December 5, 2025, after being found guilty of illegal possession of a firearm. The ruling was issued by the Federal High Court, Lideta Division 1, Constitutional and Unconstitutional Offenses Trial Chamber.

Taye, a senior government official, was charged with keeping a Kalashnikov assault rifle and 60 rounds of ammunition at his home without a licence.

His lawyer told BBC Afan Oromo that three defence witnesses had not been heard during the trial. “We respect the court's decision, but we have complaints,” he said.

During proceedings, Taye said he had requested weapons from the Federal Police Deputy Commissioner, Melaku Fentan, citing security concerns after his bodyguards resigned. He said the commissioner advised him to submit a request to the Prime Minister’s Office.

Taye also stated that he sought assistance from Binalf Andualem, then Minister of Peace and now Ethiopian Ambassador to the United States, to facilitate the request. He added that the parties ultimately agreed verbally to provide the weapons rather than through written correspondence.