Yesterday, Ethiopian officials told the media that two journalists who were detained last week have been accused of planning to sabotage power and phone lines, and recruiting people to destabilize the country, Reuters and other news outlets reported.

Woubshet Taye, deputy editor of the publication Awramba Times, and Reyot Alemu from the Feteh newspaper, were arrested on 19 and 21 June.  IPI condemned Taye’s detention and the confiscation of possessions from his home, and said he should not be jailed for his work or political affiliation.

This is not the first time that Ethiopian journalists have been arrested on national security charges. Following Ethiopia’s parliamentary elections in 2005, dozens of journalists and opposition activists were jailed on criminal charges including treason, and several publications and civil society organizations were shut down.  A broadly-worded 2009 law carrying up to 20 year prison terms for anyone who writes or publishes information that is seen to support or encourage terrorism was condemned because it indicated this earlier trend could continue.

“We reiterate that the authorities should not criminalize journalists for their work or political affiliation,” IPI Director Alison Bethel McKenzie said. “If the government has evidence that these journalists were indeed involved in sabotage, they should make that evidence public, and must conduct a transparent investigation and trial. Otherwise, Woubshet Taye and Reyot Alemu should immediately be set free.”

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By Mina Nacheva

VIENNA, 24 June 2011: The International Press Institute (IPI) today condemned the unlawful arrest of an Ethiopian journalist in the capital Addis Ababa. Woubshet Taye, deputy editor of the publication Awramba Times, was detained by police in the afternoon of 19 June, Mesfin Negash of the country’s Addis Neger newspaper told IPI in a written statement. An article on the website of Awramba Times confirmed the arrest.

The security agents took Taye from his home and confiscated some of his possessions, the report said. The motive behind the journalist’s detention remains unclear; however, an unnamed official claimed to the Awramba Times that the editor had not been arrested in connection with his profession or work at the newspaper, the statement read. The police is said to have brought along a court order, accusing the journalist of a terrorism-related crime.

According to Negash, speculation is spreading that the arrest might be a result of Taye “sympathizing [with] the opposition, particularly Ginbot 7,” Ethiopia’s Movement for Justice, Freedom and Democracy. Just over a week ago, the House of Peoples’ Representatives passed a motion labeling Ginbot 7, among other movements, as a terrorist organization, local media reported.

In July 2009, the country’s parliament adopted an anti-terrorism law heavily criticized by human rights groups for its vague wording and heavy penalties. It provides for prison terms of up to 20 years for anyone who writes or publishes information that is seen to support or encourage terrorism, and national security forces no longer need a warrant to tap phones or intercept communications, or to search and seize property.

Taye is said to be currently held in an infamous central investigation office of the police.

IPI Press Freedom Manager Anthony Mills said: “We are alarmed by reports that Mr. Taye has been arrested, possibly because of his political views, even though Ethiopia’s press law states that journalists cannot be subject to pretrial detention. We therefore call on the authorities to immediately release Mr. Taye, and to ensure that journalists are not detained because of their work or political affiliation.”

Addis Neger editor Negash said: “He is not allowed to be visited by his family members as of today. They are only allowed to bring him clothes and food though they cannot be sure if he gets it,” Negash added.

In November 2009, IPI conducted a mission to Ethiopia to meet with journalists and government officials for discussions on the media environment in the country. IPI reported that while the climate had improved since the sweeping crackdown in 2005, the government retaied a “lingering desire to exert influence over the media.”

Dawit Kebede, currently the managing editor of Awramba Times, was imprisoned for 21 months for his critical reporting on the government’s crackdown in post-election Ethiopia in 2005. He was released on a conditional pardon, and has reportedly been subject to continuous harassment by the country’s authorities.

The Ethiopian Satellite Television (ESAT), the country’s first independent TV station, is also reported to be facing difficulties operating. According to a statement by the Ethiopia Free Press Journalists Association (EFPJA), ESAT continued broadcasting for the first time last week after a two-month blackout caused by the government.

Since its launch in April 2010, ESAT has faced continuous broadcast interruptions, and has reportedly been forced to change satellite service providers at least four times over the course of a year. The regime of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi finally managed to block the station’s transmissions for a longer period by using technology provided by the Chinese government.