LAWYERS for a British-citizen Ethiopian opposition leader who was kidnapped in Yemen demanded action from the Foreign Office yesterday to secure his release.

British citizen Andargachew Tsege was grabbed en-route to Eritrea in June and Ethiopian officials later confirmed he was in their custody.

Mr Tsege is deputy leader of the Ginbot 7 opposition group.

He had already been sentenced to death in absentia by authorities in Ethiopia, which considers Ginbot 7 a terrorist group.

Lawyers for his family raised fears yesterday that he has faced torture following TV footage in which he was said to have confessed to charges levelled at him.

Human rights coalition Reprieve’s Maya Foa said: “Even now, his family in London have no idea where he is being held, and in what conditions.

“This is an unacceptable state of affairs — the UK government should be using its close ties to Ethiopia to call unequivocally for his release.”