The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Ethiopian authorities to immediately release five journalists who have been held for three years awaiting trial, instead of pressuring them to admit involvement in a deadly insurgency in exchange for freedom. The journalists—Gobeze Sisay, Meskerem Abera, Genet Asmamaw, Dawit Begashaw, and Abay Zewdu—have refused to write apology letters, which their lawyer, Solomon Gezahagn, told CPJ they regard as “self-incriminating.”
Detention and Charges Stem from Amhara Unrest Reporting
The five were detained in 2023 on terrorism charges related to their coverage of unrest in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. According to Solomon, prison officials have threatened his clients and separated them from other inmates to pressure them into writing their own versions of a government-drafted document, while also being promised to stop working as journalists.
“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 Muthoki Mumo, CPJ Africa Program Coordinator. “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.”
Over 300 Detainees Asked to Sign Apology Letters
Media reports indicate that more than 300 politicians, journalists, and others facing terrorism charges linked to the Amhara conflict have been asked to sign apology letters. The insurgency began in 2023 following a government decision to integrate regional militia into the federal army, which sparked protests. The Amhara Regional Special Forces refused to surrender their weapons, and the Fano militia took up arms against federal forces.
About 30 detainees, including the journalists, have refused to sign, stating they would not declare themselves criminals while continuing to contest charges in court, according to news reports.
Government Proposal and Legal Proceedings
Government officials asked the journalists to write letters in which they “take responsibility” for the crisis, lives lost, and property destroyed in the “extremist” struggle, promise not to participate in similar activities, and consent to unspecified government action if they breach that commitment, Solomon said.
In February, a federal court ruled that the joint case against Gobeze, Meskerem, Genet, and Dawit had sufficient evidence to proceed. However, repeated adjournments have delayed their defense until November 19. The court has yet to rule on whether prosecutors presented sufficient evidence for a separate case against Abay, whose next hearing is scheduled for October 16.
If convicted, the journalists could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. The government described the proposed release process as a pardon, but Solomon told CPJ that Ethiopian law provides for pardons only after a defendant has been convicted and received a final sentence. Since the five journalists’ trials are incomplete, their cases would need resolution through withdrawal of charges or an amnesty, he added.
CPJ’s email requests for comment to the Ministry of Justice and Government Communication Service office did not receive immediate responses, while an email to the Federal Prison Commission could not be delivered.
