Asrat Woldeyes (Amharic: አስራት ወልደየስ; June 20, 1928 – May 14, 1999[1]) was an Ethiopian surgeon, a professor of medicine at Addis Ababa University, and the founder and leader of the All-Amhara People's Organization (AAPO).
[1] In 1998, Asrat, who had previously had bypass surgery, developed further heart problems, and government doctors stated that he needed treatment overseas to survive.
However, the Ethiopian government initially denied him permission to travel, triggering international appeals on his behalf.
On December 25, 1998, authorities yielded to international pressure, granting him a compassionate release and allowing him treatment in Houston.
[1] Though his treatment was at first successful, Asrat died five months later of his heart ailment at the University of Pennsylvania hospital in Philadelphia.