NAIROBI – Ethiopian police released Reuters cameraman Kumerra Gemechu on Tuesday after detaining him without charge for 12 days.
The police told their lawyer Melkamu Ogo that their lines of investigation included accusations of spreading false information, communicating with groups fighting the government and disrupting public peace and security. However, Mr. Melkamu said he had seen no evidence.
“We are very pleased that Kumerra was released and met with his family. His release today says he did nothing wrong, ”said Stephen J. Adler, editor in chief of Reuters, in a statement.
“Kumerra is a journalist who has consistently demonstrated his professionalism and commitment to accuracy, as part of a Reuters team that reports from Ethiopia fairly, independently and impartially,” said Adler.
Ethiopian police and prosecutors have not responded to Reuters questions about the reasons for Kumerra’s arrest and subsequent release.
Kumerra, 38, has worked for Reuters for a decade.
His family said they were preparing a special meal and looking forward to welcoming him home for Christmas, which many Ethiopian Christians will celebrate on Thursday.
“We are very relieved that Kumerra was released and we would like to thank everyone who supported us during this difficult time,” said the family in a statement.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, has overseen major reforms since taking office in 2018, including lifting the ban on more than 250 media outlets and the release of dozens of journalists.
However, human rights groups say freedom of the press has declined as the government faced outbreaks of deadly violence, including fighting between military and leaders in northern Tigray, which challenged the government of Abiy, the prime minister.
Media surveillance groups reported the arrests of at least 12 other journalists in Ethiopia last year, seven of them in November, when the Tigray conflict broke out.
Only one journalist was charged with social media posts about Covid-19 that were denounced by the Ministry of Health as false, according to the New York-based Committee for the Protection of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders.
Eight have already been released and the rest remain in custody, the two groups said.