Nairobi – The independent Ethiopian online outlet Addis Standard called for an investigation into the suspected abduction of its managing editor on Wednesday.
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.”
Its managing editor Million Beyene was taken late Wednesday morning “from the newsroom by a group of unidentified individuals in plain clothes”, according to a statement by the Standard’s publisher Jakenn Publishing.
“The individuals informed Million that he was ‘needed for questioning’ before taking him to an undisclosed location,” it said.
Security camera footage at the offices reviewed by the publisher showed at least three men “wearing caps and face masks” entering the building in a coordinated fashion, approaching Million and escorting him back out, the statement said.
Jakenn Publishing said that it contacted various levels of police and area police stations, all of which said Million was not in their custody.
The publisher called on city and federal police, as well as the Ethiopia Human Rights Commission, to launch an investigation into his disappearance.
The publisher also noted that “His abduction comes amid repeated and intensifying security and administrative pressures targeting Addis Standard’s newsroom and operations in recent months.”
“We strongly condemn this alarming act,” said Yonas Kedir, Editor-in-Chief of Addis Standard.
“We call for his immediate release, and we urge authorities to act swiftly to ensure his safety and uphold the rule of law.”
Ethiopia, Africa’s second most populous country with some 130 million inhabitants, ranks 145th out of 180 in Reporters Without Borders'(RSF) press freedom index.
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Source: AFP
