An Ethiopian journalist, Salsawit Baynesagn, has been detained by authorities without charge, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has said.
Police arrested Salsawit at her home in Addis Ababa on June 8 after telling her she was wanted for questioning, according to the press freedom watchdog. It called for his immediate and unconditional release.
There was no immediate comment from Ethiopian authorities.
Salsawit Baynesagn, a journalist active on TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube, has not appeared in court, and authorities have not disclosed any charges or specific allegations against her, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Friday.
Her family told CPJ they believe the detention may be linked to recent social media videos about killings of Ethiopian Orthodox Christians in the Arsi Zone of Oromia, in which she criticized government officials, religious leaders, and the public for their silence over the violence.
According to the CPJ, Salsawit was initially held for two days in a temporary detention facility, where her relatives were denied access, before being transferred to the Addis Ababa Police Commission—locally known as Sostegna.
“Salsawit Baynesagn’s detention without charge or without being brought before a court within 48 hours is a serious violation of her rights and a warning to Ethiopian journalists covering sensitive public issues,” said CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal. “Ethiopian authorities must release Salsawit immediately or promptly bring her before a court and disclose any charges against her.”
Salsawit worked for the state-affiliated media outlet Walta TV in 2018 and later joined the Fana Media Corporation before leaving in November 2025 to produce her own independent commentary on social media.
In recent days, several members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church (EOTC) have been arrested, including theologian, researcher, and religious author Dr Kesis Mezgebu Kassa.
Reports also indicate that Deacon Zelalem Taye and Yoni Yesemaetu, known for sharing information and commentary on Church-related issues through social media platforms, have been detained.
