The editor-in-chief of The Addis Standard, one of Ethiopia’s leading independent news organisations, was allegedly abducted and assaulted by security forces, according to the site’s publisher, Jakken Publishing.
What happened? Yonas Kedir was reportedly taken on Saturday, held for about 24 hours, and subjected to what the publisher described as prolonged interrogation. According to a written statement attributed to Kedir, two men in civilian clothing allegedly seized him, struck him and forced him into a vehicle. He said they accused him of “selling the country out.
“The alleged abduction was the first of three consecutive actions against the Addis Standard:Saturday: Kedir was allegedly abducted and interrogated. Sunday, 2 August: Security personnel reportedly raided the Addis Standard’s offices and confiscated equipment from its multimedia studio. Monday, 3 August: Police reportedly issued an eviction order giving the publisher three days to leave its premises, where it had operated for 16 years.
BackgroundThe Ethiopian authorities revoked the Addis Standard’s media registration in February, accusing it of violating media ethics and posing threats to “national interests. “The authorities did not specify which reports allegedly constituted the violations. The publication continued operating while challenging the decision in court.
Rights groups raise concerns The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) described the developments as an escalation in the Ethiopian government’s alleged campaign against the organisation. Human Rights Watch also criticised the actions, saying they fit into a wider pattern of pressure against independent journalists and media organisations in Ethiopia.
HRW said that, over the past year, Ethiopian authorities have arbitrarily arrested journalists, held some incommunicado and revoked media licences. The Ethiopian government had not responded to the BBC’s request for comment at the time of the report. Despite the reported raid and eviction order, The Addis Standard’s website remains operational, with the organisation continuing to publish reports about the incident and considering its next steps.
