Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Addis Standard2
Published on 2024-02-26 13:25:35
Bate Urgessa, a political officer with the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), and French journalist Antoine Galindo were apprehended on February 22, 2024, in Addis Ababa by security forces. Lemi Gemechu, the spokesperson for the OLF, confirmed that Bate was taken into custody after attending a meeting of political parties at the Sky Light Hotel in Addis Ababa. Following the meeting, Bate disappeared and was later found to be detained at the Bole sub-city police station.
On the other hand, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) disclosed that Galindo, a journalist working for Indigo Publications, was detained alongside Bate while conducting an interview. In a statement released by the CPJ, it was reported that Galindo and Bate were first taken to the Bole-Rwanda police station and then transferred to the Bole Sub-City Police Department, where they are currently held.
Subsequently, Galindo faced the Addis Ababa City Administration Bole Division Court on charges of collaborating with armed groups to instigate unrest in the capital. Despite seeking bail during the court hearing, the police insisted on keeping him in custody to gather more information and examine his phone records. The court granted permission for Galindo to remain in detention until the next hearing scheduled for March 1, 2024.
Indigo Publications asserted that Galindo was a legitimate journalist covering events in Ethiopia, including the African Union summit, with proper accreditation from the Ethiopian Media Authority. The company refuted the accusations against Galindo as baseless and lacking merit.
In a Twitter post, it was highlighted that Ethiopia ranked third in Africa for journalist imprisonment in 2023, trailing behind Eritrea and Egypt. The CPJ called for the immediate release of Galindo, emphasizing the importance of upholding press freedom and condemning the unjust detention of journalists.
Bate Urgessa has faced multiple detentions in the past and encountered health issues during his incarceration. Along with other OLF leaders, he has been held in police custody, raising concerns about the treatment of political detainees in Ethiopia.
The detentions of Bate Urgessa and Antoine Galindo underscore the challenges faced by journalists and political activists in Ethiopia. The lack of transparency in the legal proceedings and the allegations against them raise questions about the state of freedom of expression and human rights in the country. It is crucial for the Ethiopian authorities to adhere to due process and ensure fair treatment of individuals in custody. The international community, including organizations like the CPJ, plays a vital role in advocating for the rights and freedoms of journalists and political prisoners worldwide.
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