Ethiopia releases detained bloggers and journalists

Five imprisoned Ethiopian bloggers and journalists have been released in Addis Ababa, after government prosecutors dropped the charges against them.

The bloggers and journalists, who have been in prison for over a year, were released on Wednesday, but at least four others remain in jail.

The charges were dropped against bloggers Zelalem Kibret and Mahlet Fantahun, members of the blog Zone 9, as well as journalists Tesfalem Wadyes, Asmamaw Hailegiorgis and Edom Kassaye.

The release comes just a few weeks before US President Barack Obama’s visit to the country.

The bloggers were detained in the Ethiopian capital in April last year, after they announced on Facebook that they would resume writing for Zone 9.

The three journalists, not connected to the blog, were also arrested, and later charged with “terrorism”.

Another blogger, Soleyana S. Gebremichale, was charged in absentia. She is currently in the United States.

0 Comments

*Enter your name

*2 characters minimum.

Do not change these fields following

Download our app from play store and get updates everyday for FREE. Press the button below.