Abreha Deboch

Abreha Deboch was born circa 1910 in Debarwa in the highland province of Seraye. Educated at the prestigious Teferi Mekonnen School in Addis Ababa, Abreha worked in the political intelligence department of the Italian colonial administration, secretly aiding the anti-fascist resistance.

Outraged by fascist racial atrocities, Abreha and his close friend Mogus Asgedom plotted to assassinate Viceroy Rodolfo Graziani. On February 19, 1937 (Yekatit 12), during a ceremony at Genete Leul Palace, they lobbed ten hand grenades onto the dais, severely wounding Graziani. Escaping into the countryside, Abreha fought pursuing fascist columns until his martyrdom in May 1937.