IPI condemns assault on Ethiopian editor

November 8, 2008(ADDIS ABABA) — The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120 countries, strongly condemns last weeks brutal attack on Amare Aregawi, editor-in-chief of the Ethiopian bi-weekly newspaper The Reporter.

Aregawi was assaulted at approximately 4:30 local time on 31 October by at least two assailants, while leaving his son’s school following a parent-teacher meeting and was struck on the back of the head, and left bleeding and unconscious on the ground.

“IPI denounces this assault on Amare Aregawi in the strongest possible terms,” said IPI Director David Dadge. “Given that Aregawi has been targeted for his work in the past, IPI is concerned that this attack was linked to his journalism.”

“IPI calls on the authorities to not only bring those behind this brutal act to justice, but to also do everything in their power to ensure that Ethiopian journalists are free to carry out their profession without fear of attack.”He added

Aregawi has previously been singled out for his writing. In August of this year, he was detained by authorities for a period of five days following the publication of articles addressing criticism of a local brewery and a government office.

This most recent incident follows a series of editorials in The Reporter criticizing members of the local business community, leading local sources to believe that the attack was also linked

(ST)