Africa-Press Ethiopia
Ethiopian police released Reuters cameraman Kumerra Gemechu on Tuesday after detaining him without charge for 12 days.
Police had told his lawyer Melkamu Ogo that their lines of inquiry included accusations of disseminating false information, communicating with groups fighting the government, and disturbing the public’s peace and security. However, Mr. Melkamu said he had seen no evidence.
“We are delighted that Kumerra has been released and reunited with his family. His release today affirms he has done nothing wrong,” Stephen J. Adler, the editor in chief of Reuters, said 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 in a fair, independent and unbiased way,” Mr. Adler said.
The Ethiopian police and the prosecutor’s office did not respond to questions from Reuters on the reasons for Mr. Kumerra’s arrest and subsequent release.
Mr. Kumerra, 38, has worked for Reuters for a decade.
His family said they were preparing a special meal and looking forward to having him home for Christmas, which many Ethiopian Christians will celebrate on Thursday.
“We are so relieved that Kumerra has been released and would like to thank everyone who has supported us during this difficult time,” the family said in a statement.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, has overseen sweeping reforms since taking office in 2018, including a lift on the ban of more than 250 media outlets and the release of dozens of journalists.
However, rights groups say press freedom has eroded as the government faced outbreaks of deadly violence including fighting between the military and rebel forces in the northern region of Tigray.
