Independent Ethiopian journalist and social media content creator Salsawit Baynesagn has been released after being held in police custody for nearly two weeks without formal charges or a court appearance.
Her youngest sister, Haymanot Baynesagn, confirmed that Salsawit was freed on Saturday following mounting local and international pressure regarding her arbitrary detention. The release comes just days after press freedom watchdogs and legal advocates raised severe due process concerns over the handling of her case.
Salsawit was originally arrested by Addis Ababa police at her home on June 8, after officers informed her that she was wanted for questioning. Following her arrest, she was held incommunicado for the first two days in a temporary isolation facility frequently referred to as the “dark room,” during which time her relatives were strictly denied access. She was later transferred to the Addis Ababa Police Commission’s third police station, commonly known as “Sostegna,” in the Piassa district.
Throughout her 14-day detention, authorities failed to present Salsawit before a judge or disclose any official allegations against her. Under Ethiopian law, detainees must be brought before a court of law within 48 hours of their arrest and informed of the suspected offenses.
In response to the legal breach, Salsawit’s family and her defense lawyer, Zewdu Bekele, filed a habeas corpus application on June 16 seeking her immediate release. While a court scheduled an appearance for the following day, police officials reportedly failed to show up or accept the summons, claiming that personnel could not be reached due to an ongoing relocation of their administrative offices.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) had issued a strong statement calling on Ethiopian authorities to immediately release Salsawit or bring forward legitimate charges. CPJ Africa Director Angela Quintal described her detention without charge as a serious violation of her basic rights and a chilling warning to independent journalists covering sensitive domestic issues in the country.
While police spokespersons have not offered an official statement regarding the specific motive behind her arrest, Salsawit’s family believes the detention was a direct retaliation for her digital broadcasts. A prominent voice on YouTube, TikTok, and Facebook, Salsawit had recently posted a series of commentaries addressing sensitive religious issues involving the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Her final video before her arrest, published on June 5, openly condemned the recent killing of more than 13 civilians in the Arsi Zone of the Oromia regional state, criticizing the government and the public for their perceived silence on the violence.
Salsawit is a veteran media professional who previously worked for state-affiliated broadcasters Walta TV and Fana Media Corporation. She left Fana late last year to focus entirely on producing independent social commentary, focusing on national unity, history, and current social crises.
