Nairobi – The managing editor of independent Ethiopian news site the Addis Standard, who was seized by masked men in mid-April, has been released, the outlet said on Tuesday, accusing intelligence officers of abducting him.
The Addis Standard, one of the few independent media organisations in the east African country, had its licence revoked by government authorities in February over accusations of having “undermined national interests”.
On April 15, managing editor Million Beyene was taken “from the newsroom by a group of unidentified individuals in plain clothes”, the Standard’s publisher, Jakenn Publishing, said at the time.
“The individuals informed Million that he was ‘needed for questioning’ before taking him to an undisclosed location,” it said.
On Tuesday, Jakenn announced: “Million Beyene has been handed over this afternoon to his family, as well as Jakenn’s legal team and colleagues.”
It said it would release further details at an appropriate time.
Jakenn said it “unequivocally rejects the abduction by intelligence officers and the subsequent ordeal suffered by Million.
“This incident underscores the urgent need to uphold freedom of the press and protect journalists from intimidation, unlawful detention, and coercion,” it said.
“A free and independent press is essential to safeguarding the public’s right to information and the rule of law.”
Security camera footage at the Standard’s offices from April 15 showed at least three men “wearing caps and face masks” entering the building, approaching Million and escorting him out.
Jakenn said it had contacted several police bodies, all of whom said Million was not in their custody.
Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous country with around 130 million inhabitants, ranks 145th out of 180 nations in Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) press freedom index.
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Source: AFP
