NAIROBI – Ethiopian police released Reuters cameraman Kumerra Gemechu on Tuesday after detaining him for 12 days without charge.
Police told his lawyer Melkamu Ogo that their lines of inquiry included accusations of spreading false information, communicating with groups fighting the government and satisfying the public’s peace and security. Mr. Melkamu said he saw no evidence.
“We are delighted that Kumerra has been released and reunited with his family. His release today confirms that he did nothing wrong, “Reuters editor-in-chief Stephen J. Adler said in a statement.
“Kumerra is a journalist who has consistently demonstrated his professionalism and dedication to accuracy, as part of a Reuters team that reports from Ethiopia in a fair, independent and impartial manner,” Adler said.
The Ethiopian police and the prosecutor’s office did not respond to questions from Reuters about the reasons for the arrest of Mr. Kumerra and the subsequent release.
Mr. Kumerra, 38, has been working for Reuters for a decade.
His family said they are preparing a special meal and look forward to having him at home for Christmas, which many Christians in Ethiopia are going to celebrate on Thursday.
“We are so relieved that Kumerra has been released and would like to thank everyone who supported us during this difficult time,” the family said in a statement.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, has overseen comprehensive reforms since taking office in 2018, including raising the ban on more than 250 media outlets and releasing dozens of journalists .
However, rights groups say press freedom has eroded as the government has erupted in deadly violence, including fighting between the military and leaders in the northern region of Tigray, which has taken control of Mr. Abiy, the prime minister, disputed.
Media watchdog groups have arrested at least 12 other journalists in Ethiopia last year, seven of them in November when the Tigray conflict broke out.
Only one journalist has been charged in connection with social media reports about Covid-19 being condemned by the Ministry of Health as false, according to the New York Committee for the Protection of Journalists and Reporters Without Borders in Paris.
Eight have since been released and the rest remain in custody, the two groups said.