Five more Ethiopian journalists freed on bail

ADDIS ABABA, July 2, 2005 (The Reporter) — Five journalists detained by the Addis Ababa Police Commission on Thursday 30 June morning were released late in the afternoon on the same day.

Daniel Gezahegne, editor-in-chief of Moged, the Amharic weekly, Fasil Yenalem, editor-in-chief of Addis Zena, the Amharic weekly, Tadese Kebede, editor-in-chief of Lisane Hizb, the Amharic weekly, his deputy Tegist Abraham and Taye Belachew, a senior editor, were detained for eight to nine hours.

The Ministry of Defence accused Daniel Gezahegne of printing a picture that depicts a soldier dragging two youths, and Fasil Yenalem of running an article about a former army member. The three editors of Lisane Hizb were accused by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church for publishing an article that stated religious leaders and youths blamed the church leaders for keeping silent when the government forces were using excessive force against people in Addis Ababa.

Kifle Mulat, President of the Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association (EFJA), yesterday told The Reporter that Daniel, Fasil and Tadese were released on bail after they appeared before the Federal First Instance Court. Kifle said Tegist and Taye, who were also released on bail, did not appear before court.

EFJA called on the public, international press institutions and human right activists to closely follow the challenges facing the free press in Ethiopia.

It is to be recalled that another four editors-in-chief detained on Tuesday 28 June morning were released on bail on the same day.

Material provided by the BBC Monitoring Service.