Editor of top Ethiopian independent news site seized by police, publisher says
Rights groups say this as part of a pattern of targeting news outlets - the government has not commented.
The editor-in-chief of a prominent Ethiopian independent news website was reportedly abducted and assaulted by security forces, according to the site's owner. Jakken Publishing, the owner of The Addis Standard, stated on Thursday that Yonas Kedir was taken last Saturday, held for 24 hours, and subjected to "prolonged interrogation." The publisher's statement also detailed a raid on the news site's offices.
Rights organizations have characterized these recent events as part of a pattern of targeting independent news outlets. The Ethiopian government has not yet responded to a BBC request for comment.
In February, authorities revoked The Addis Standard's media registration, citing violations of media ethics and alleged threats to "national interests," though specific reports were not identified. The news site continued its operations while challenging the decision in court.
Jakken Publishing reported that Yonas's alleged abduction marked the first of three days of actions against The Addis Standard. The AFP news agency quoted Yonas from a written statement, saying, "Two individuals dressed in civilian clothes... violently seized me. [They] struck me and forcibly loaded me into a double-cab pickup truck. They accused me of 'selling the country out'."
On the second day, Sunday, August 2, a security team reportedly raided the outlet's offices "without due process," confiscating equipment from its multimedia studio. Subsequently, on August 3, police issued an eviction order, demanding the company vacate its premises within three days, thereby ending 16 years of operations at that location.
The Addis Standard's website remains active and is being updated with reports on the raid and its aftermath. The publisher is currently deliberating on its next steps.
The Committee to Protect Journalists described the events as "an alarming escalation in Ethiopian authorities' campaign to dismantle one of the country's leading independent news organisations." Human Rights Watch (HRW) also condemned the government's actions, stating that the harassment of Addis Standard reflects a broader effort to suppress critical reporting. HRW noted that over the past year, Ethiopian authorities have arbitrarily arrested numerous journalists, held some incommunicado, and revoked media licenses.
Recently, the Ethiopian Media Authority issued "final written warnings" to independent broadcasters Arts TV and Ahadu FM, threatening suspension or revocation of their licenses due to alleged repeated violations of media laws.