The reported abduction of Addis Standard Managing Editor Million Beyene by unidentified individuals in civilian clothing has sparked widespread concern, with growing speculation that state-linked actors may be involved.
According to a statement from JAKENN Publishing PLC, Beyene was taken from his office in the early hours of April 7, 2018 E.C. by a group of men who told him he was “wanted for questioning” before escorting him to an undisclosed location. CCTV footage reviewed by the publisher shows multiple individuals entering the building in a coordinated manner, some wearing hats and masks, before leaving with the journalist.
Despite inquiries by the publisher’s legal team, both Addis Ababa police and federal authorities have denied holding Beyene in custody. Officials from the Federal Police Commission and city police reportedly stated that the individuals seen in the footage were not recognized as members of their forces.
However, the circumstances surrounding the abduction have raised serious concerns among media observers and rights groups. Addis Standard, an independent English-language publication, has in recent months reported facing increasing pressure, including what it described as unauthorized raids and intimidation targeting its newsroom and operations.
Media advocates argue that the method of the operation—plainclothes individuals carrying out a coordinated arrest without identifying themselves or presenting a warrant—resembles past incidents attributed to security forces operating without formal acknowledgment.
International organizations have begun to respond. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called for Beyene’s immediate and unconditional release, urging Ethiopian authorities to clarify his whereabouts and ensure his safety. CPJ and other press freedom groups have warned that enforced disappearances of journalists represent a serious escalation in efforts to silence independent reporting.
“This kind of incident sends a chilling message to journalists across the country,” a CPJ representative said in a statement, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
Addis Standard’s Editor-in-Chief, Yonas Kedir, condemned the incident as “deeply alarming” and called on authorities to act swiftly to secure Beyene’s release and uphold the rule of law.
The case has intensified scrutiny of Ethiopia’s press freedom environment, with observers noting that unresolved abductions and denials of custody risk eroding public trust in institutions tasked with upholding justice.
As of now, Beyene’s whereabouts remain unknown.
