Addis Standard says editor was abducted and assaulted

Addis Standard's owner says editor-in-chief Yonas Kedir was abducted, assaulted and held for about 24 hours by Ethiopian security personnel, in a case the publication described as part of wider intimidation against the independent media outlet.

Jakenn Publishing Plc, which owns the print and online outlet, said Yonas reported being seized on the evening of Saturday, August 1, 2026, physically assaulted and subjected to prolonged questioning before being released.

In a written statement, Yonas said two people in civilian clothes seized him, hit him and forced him into a double-cab pickup truck. He said they accused him of "selling the country out" and that, after a blindfold was removed, he saw military licence plates on the vehicle.

Addis Standard also said a security and intelligence team came to its premises the next day and confiscated multimedia equipment. The outlet said that on Monday its landlord ordered it to leave the building it had used for 16 years within three days, and alleged the landlord had been forced by police.

Ethiopian authorities revoked Addis Standard's licence in February, accusing it of violations of journalistic ethics and legislation and of undermining national interests. The publication contests those allegations.

Rights groups accuse Ethiopian authorities of repeated press freedom violations. Reporters Without Borders ranks Ethiopia 148th out of 180 countries for press freedom, and five journalists are currently in detention.