Nairobi
Campaign group Reporters Without Borders called Monday for the immediate release of 12 journalists detained in a wave of arrests in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa.
Most of the journalists, including one who runs a YouTube channel critical of the government, were arrested on June 30, according to Reporters Without Borders, known by its French acronym RSF.
It said no explanation had been given for their arrests until July 2, when police linked the journalists to a terrorist group, referring to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Federal troops have been battling TPLF forces in Tigray since November, but they withdrew at end of June in the face of rebel advances and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government then declared a unilateral ceasefire.
Ethiopia’s government has imposed tough restrictions on journalists covering the conflict.—APP
