ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia -- The Ethiopian marathon runner who made an anti-government gesture at the Rio Games while approaching the finish line will not face prosecution upon his return home and will have a heroic welcome, a government spokesman said Monday.Feyisa Lilesa told reporters Sunday that he could be killed or imprisoned if he ever goes back to the East African country. He called protesting inside Ethiopia very dangerous.The silver medalist crossed his wrists in an attempt to draw global attention to deadly protests in his home region of Oromia. He told reporters that Ethiopias government is killing his people.Oromo is my tribe, he said. My relatives are in prison, and if they talk about democratic rights, they are killed.The crossed-wrists gesture has been widely used by anti-government protesters in recent nationwide demonstrations as a sign of peaceful resistance and before that by the Muslim community when it revolted against the Ethiopian government.Lilesa will not face any problems for his political stance, government spokesman Getachew Reda told the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate. After all, this is an athlete who secured a silver medal for his country.It was not immediately clear whether Lilesa plans to return. He told reporters he would discuss the issue with family and friends.Ethiopia state broadcaster EBC did not re-broadcast images of Lilesas gesture. Some people who were watching live and cheering for Lilesa quickly hushed when they saw his gesture.The Oromo are Ethiopias largest ethnic group, with about 40 million people. Their region has seen massive anti-government protests since November that activists say have left more than 400 dead.The protests were ignited by the governments decision to annex some Oromia land into the capital, Addis Ababa. The plan has been abandoned, but demonstrations calling for wider freedoms have continued.Ethiopias government, a close security ally of the West, is often accused of silencing dissent, including blocking internet access at times.?Earlier this month, video obtained by The Associated Press showed Ethiopian security forces beating, kicking and dragging several protesters during a rare demonstration in the capital. Terrell Owens Super Bowl Jersey . Thats not a comment on the suspension that banished the Portland Winterhawks general manager and coach from his Western Hockey League teams bench for most of the 2012-13 season. Tevin Coleman Super Bowl Jersey . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers. http://www.49ersofficialfanshop.com/nick-mullens-jersey-sales.html . They were putting most of their energy into a record-setting offensive display. 49ers Super Bowl Jerseys . It might not have mattered. While the Dodgers are preparing for the playoffs, the Padres showed their future has promise behind two rookies. Tarvarius Moore Super Bowl Jersey . - NASCAR announced a 33-race schedule for the 2014 Nationwide Series with virtually no changes from this years slate. College GameDay is live in Knoxville as No. 19 Florida faces No. 14 Tennessee.Here are some of the best signs from Saturday in Knoxville.Use #GameDaySigns on Twitter to llet us know your favorite.dddddddddddd ' ' '