Ethiopia: Behind Bars for 20 Months, Meskerem Abera Sentenced for Inciting Unrest
November 25, 2024 - Ethiopia, Addis Ababa
Journalist Meskerem Abera, founder of Ethio Nikat, sentenced to one year and four months for "computer crimes" over YouTube content, accused of inciting unrest. Her legal team is appealing, asserting that the content does not incite violence or criminal behavior.
Behind bars since April 2023, Abera has faced repeated harassment from the state, part of a disturbing pattern of targeting journalists critical of the government.
Women Press Freedom condemns Abera's conviction and sentencing—she has been unjustly punished for doing her job. It’s time for her release. We demand Ethiopian authorities end their persecution of media workers and stop criminalizing journalism.
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We reiterate our call to drop all charges against her and join the #FreeNarges to call again for her full release.
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We demand Pakistani authorities investigate the incidents and hold those responsible to account.
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Russian drones targeted Hromadske journalists Ksyusha Savoskina and Oleksiy Nikulin. Their car, carrying filming equipment, was destroyed in an explosion. Forced to walk 3km under drone threats, they narrowly escaped injury.
Journalist Meskerem Abera, founder of Ethio Nikat, sentenced to one year and four months for "computer crimes" over YouTube content, accused of inciting unrest
Attack comes after Russian authorities initiated an administrative case against Larina in July, accusing her of failing to label her content with the "foreign agent" tag.
