14 May 2014 6:26
Last Wednesday, Ethiopian bloggers Atnaf Berahane, Zelalem Kibret and Natnael Feleke (all members of the Zone 9 blogging collective) and journalists Asmamaw Hailegeorgis, Tesfalem Waldyes and Edom Kassaye were brought before an Addis Ababa court for the first time since their detention on April 25. At the brief hearing, police requested more time for their investigation.
According to their attorneys, the detainees will face charges related to accepting assistance from a foreign NGO and “inciting violence through social media.”
The six men and women, along with bloggers Befeqadu Hailu, Abel Wabela, and Mahlet Fantahun — also members of the Zone 9 group – were arrested in late April and have been in detention ever since. All are influential writers on political and social issues in Ethiopia and have played an active role in organizing political debate and protests online.
The hearing was closed to the public, despite many attempts by diplomats and others to attend.
—-
Related:
UN human rights chief condemns crackdown on journalists in Ethiopia (UN News Center)
Global Voices Calls for the Release of Nine Journalists in Ethiopia (TADIAS)
Jailed Zone Nine Bloggers Spark Ethiopia Trend on Social Media (BBC)
Ethiopian Government Charges Journalists With Inciting Public Violence (VOA News)
Nine journalists and bloggers arrested in Ethiopia ahead of Kerry visit (The Guardian)
Six Members of Zone Nine Blogging Collective Arrested in Ethiopia (TADIAS)