**Updates IFEX alerts dated 3 January 1996, 13, and 12 December 1995** The following are lists issued by CPJ of Ethiopian journalists who have been released, are currently in detention or are serving sentences, as well as those who are missing or have gone into hiding. Journalists detained and released: 1. Garoma Bekele, publisher of […]
**Updates IFEX alerts dated 3 January 1996,
13, and 12 December 1995**
The following are lists issued by CPJ of Ethiopian journalists
who have been released, are currently in detention or are serving
sentences, as well as those who are missing or have gone into
hiding.
Journalists detained and released:
1. Garoma Bekele, publisher of “Urji”, was detained on 20 May,
1996 at the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau Prison.
Garoma, who was released on 22 May on bail of 10,000 birr (US$
1,600) secured by a guarantor, was charged with disseminating
false information in connection with a story published in the 30
January issue of “Urji” about new taxation imposed on peasants in
Oromiya Regional State.
2. Solomon Nemera, editor-in-chief of “Urji”, was detained on 20
May at Addis Ababa Prison. Solomon, who was released on 22 May on
bail of 6,000 birr, was also charged with disseminating false
information in connection with the story published in the 30
January issue of “Urji” about the new taxation imposed on
peasants in Oromiya Regional State. On 6 June, he was fined 300
birr for contempt of court.
3. Israel Seboka, publisher and manager of “Seife Nebelbal”, was
detained on 19 April at the Central Criminal Investigation Office
Prison. Israel was released without charge on 5 June on bail of
10,000 birr.
4. Tamrat Gemeda, acting editor-in-chief of “Seife Nebelbal”,
was detained on 17 April at the Central Criminal Investigation
Office Prison. Tamrat was released on 5 June on an unspecified
bail.
5. Zegeye Haile, publisher and deputy editor-in-chief of
“Genawnaw” was detained on 16 May at the Central Criminal
Investigation Office Prison. Zegeye was released without charge
on 23 May on bail of 30,000 birr.
6. Daniel Dirsha, editor-in-chief of “Kitab”, was detained in
November 1995 at the Central Criminal Investigation Office
Prison. Daniel was released on 23 May on bail of 10,000 birr.
7. Tewodros Kebede, editor-in-chief of “Zog”, was released in
June 1996 after completing a one-year prison term.
8. Aklilu Tadesse, owner and editor-in-chief of “Andebet” and
former editor-in-chief of “Maebel”, was detained on 4 March for
failing to appear in court, and released during the first week of
April 1996.
Journalists detained:
1. Kassahun Tadesse, editor-in-chief of “Genanaw”, was detained
on 3 November 1995. Unable to present a qualified personal
guarantor for 9,000 birr bail, Kassahun remains in the Central
Criminal Investigation Office Prison on two unspecified charges.
2. Abinet Tamrat, owner and publisher of “Remet” and former
editor-in-chief of “Dagmawi” was also detained on 3 November at
the Central Criminal Investigation Office Prison. Abinet was
unable to present a qualified personal guarantor for 30,000 birr
bail and remains in detention.
3. Alemu Lemma, former editor-in-chief of “Mebrek”, was detained
in February 1995. Alemu was unable to present a qualified
personal guarantor for 8,000 birr bail and remains in detention.
His case is under litigation.
4. Solomon Gebre Amlak, former editor-in-chief of “Moged”, was
detained on 6 May 1995. Solomon was unable to present a qualified
personal guarantor for 15,000 birr bail and remains in detention.
5. Dereje Biru, publisher (not editor-in-chief as previously
reported) of “Tequami”, was detained on 14 December 1995 for a
story published in “Agere”. Dereje was unable to present a
qualified personal guarantor for 25,000 birr bail and remains in
detention at the Addis Ababa Central Prison.
6. Assefa Beyene, acting editor-in-chief of “Ethiop”, was
detained in November 1995. Assefa was unable to present a
qualified personal guarantor for 5,000 birr bail and remains in
detention. His case is under litigation.
7. Girmayeneh Mamo, former editor-in-chief of “Tomar”, was
detained on 20 October 1995 at Addis Ababa Central Prison.
Girmayeneh was unable to present a qualified personal guarantor
for 9,000 birr bail and remains in detention. His case is under
litigation.
8. Binyam Tadesse, manager and publisher (not editor-in-chief as
previously reported) of “Agere”, was detained on 10 January 1996
in connection with the jailbreak of 6 January from the Addis
Ababa Central Prison.
9. Bekele Dissassa, distributor of publications including “Urji”
newspaper and magazine and an associate of Franol Share Company
based in Nekempte, was detained during the month of April 1996.
Bekele is a resident of Nekempte and distributes “Urji” in the
Nekempte area.
10. Samson Seyoum, former editor-in-chief (not a reporter as
previously reported) of “Tequami”, was detained in December 1995.
Samson was unable to present a qualified personal guarantor for
5,000 birr bail and remains in detention.
Journalists currently serving sentences:
1. Andarge Mesfin, editor-in-chief of “Tenager”, sentenced to 18
months on 24 March 1995.
2. Sisay Agena, former editor-in-chief of “Ethiop”, was
sentenced to 12 months on 18 November 1995.
3. Solomon Lemma Gemechu, editor-in-chief of “Wolafen”, was
sentenced to 18 months on 6 March 1996. Solomon had been in
detention since 5 February 1995.
4. Sintayehu Abate, editor-in-chief of “Remet” was sentenced to
12 months on 7 June 1996.
Journalists missing:
1. Kumsa Burayu, editor of “Mede Welabu”, whose whereabouts are
unknown since March 1996.
2. Tsegaye Meskele, editor-in-chief of “Ethiop”, whose
whereabouts are unknown since the first week of April 1996.
3. Getahun Bekele, editor-in-chief of “Tarik”, was sentenced to
a second prison term, of 2 and a half years, commencing 29
November 1996. Getahun, who reportedly escaped with some other
prisoners from Addis Ababa Central Prison during the 6 January
1996 jail break, is now in Nairobi, Kenya.
4. Nayk Kassaye, editor-in-chief of “Beza”, disappeared on 9 May
1994. Nayk reportedly escaped from hospital during detention and
is now in Kenya.
Journalists in hiding:
1. Tsegaye Meskele, journalist with “Ethiop”, has been in hiding
since December 1995.
Appeals To
