A month has passed since Yehualashet Zerihun was arrested without formal charges. The journalist has subsequently been transferred to a military facility, where both journalists and political dissidents are enduring harsh conditions. Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF) denounces this arbitrary arrest and cautions against the escalating persecution of Ethiopian journalists.

On September 12th, Yehualashet Zerihun, a journalist, program coordinator, and co-founder of Tirita FM radio station, was unjustly arrested at his residence in Addis Ababa. Shortly thereafter, he was transferred to the Awash Arba military camp in Afar State, located 145 kilometers east of the city, where political detainees who are victims of the Ethiopian government’s suppression are currently being held.

Yehualashet Zerihun has not been formally charged, and the reasons for his arrest remain undisclosed.

Journalist Yehualashet Zerihun is a target of persecution aimed at suppressing independent voices. He was apprehended and held in the military facility without any charges communicated and without due legal process. Throughout the year, violence against journalists has persisted, underscoring the Ethiopian authorities’ intent to suppress the freedom of the press. Urgent action is needed to halt this, and Yehualashet Zerihun must be released immediately.

Sadibou Marong, Director of RSF’s sub-Saharan Africa bureau

Since the escalation of conflict in the Amhara region and the disbandment of regional military forces, journalists have come under increased scrutiny by the authorities. On September 25th, Firew Tekle, the editor-in-chief of the YouTube media outlet Ethio Selam, was arrested at his residence and subsequently taken to a police station in the capital. Accused of supporting militants in the Amhara region and using social media to bolster militias against the Ethiopian armed forces, he has since been released on bail.

On August 17th, the founder and editor-in-chief of the YouTube media outlet Negari TV, Yidnekachew Kebede, was arrested and subsequently tried, according to the authorities, for producing video content “with the intention of provoking violence”. In early September, he was released on bail without facing any formal charges.

On August 10th, the editor-in-chief of the online media outlet Amhara Media Center, Abay Zewdu, was similarly arrested and taken to Awash Arba camp. Police provided no explanation for his arrest. The founder and editor-in-chief of the YouTube media Alpha Media, Bekal Alamirew, who was arrested on 6 August 6th, is accused of giving coverage to the conflict in the Amhara region. Both journalists are still being held in police custody.