The Committee to Protect Journalists is urging Ethiopian authorities to free five journalists who have been in detention for three years. Instead of releasing them, the authorities are pressuring the journalists to confess and apologize for being part of a deadly insurgency to gain their freedom.
Gobeze Sisay, Meskerem Abera, Genet Asmamaw, Dawit Begashaw, and Abay Zewdu have refused to write the apology letters. They see these letters as “self-incriminating,” according to their lawyer, Solomon Gezahagn. The five were arrested in 2023 on terrorism charges linked to their reporting on unrest in the Amhara region.
Solomon stated that prison officials have threatened his clients. They have also been separated from other prisoners to force them to write their own versions of a government draft document. The officials offered to stop their journalism work if they complied.
“After keeping these five journalists behind bars for years and delaying their trials, Ethiopian authorities are now trying to blackmail them into confessing to crimes that they have already denied in court,” said CPJ Africa Program Coordinator Muthoki Mumo. “Authorities must stop humiliating and manipulating Gobeze Sisay, Meskerem Abera, Genet Asmamaw, Dawit Begashaw, and Abay Zewdu, withdraw the charges against them, release them, and ensure that they are free to continue their journalism.”
Media reports indicate that over 300 politicians, journalists, and others facing terrorism charges related to the conflict in the Amhara region have been asked to sign similar apology letters.
The insurgency started in 2023 after the government decided to integrate regional militia into the federal army. This decision sparked protests as the Amhara Regional Special Forces refused to surrender their weapons, and the Fano militia took up arms against federal forces.
About 30 detainees have also refused to sign, stating they will not label themselves as criminals while contesting the charges in court, according to news reports.
Government officials requested the journalists to write letters where they “take responsibility” for the crisis, the lives lost, and the property destroyed in the “extremist” struggle. They were also asked to promise not to engage in similar activities and to accept unspecified government actions if they break that promise, Solomon explained.
In February, a federal court ruled that there was enough evidence to proceed with the joint case against Gobeze, Meskerem, Genet, and Dawit. However, repeated adjournments have pushed their defense until November 19.
The court has not yet decided if there is enough evidence for a separate case against Abay to continue. His next hearing is scheduled for October 16.
If convicted, the journalists could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
The government claimed that the proposed release process was a pardon. But Solomon informed CPJ that Ethiopian law allows for pardons only after a conviction and final sentence. Since the trials of the five journalists have not finished, their cases would need to be resolved by withdrawing the charges or through amnesty, he said.
CPJ’s email requests for comment sent to the Ministry of Justice and Government Communication Service did not get immediate responses. An email sent to the Federal Prison Commission could not be delivered.
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