The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)
today condemned the brutal attack on journalist Amara Araegawi, editor-in-chief
of the Reporter's Newspaper by
unidentified assailants in Ethiopia's
capital city, Addis Ababa,
on Friday.
"The attack on Araegawi was inhumane and unwarranted,"
said Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa Office. "We believe this is a case where someone
planned the assault of a journalist in retaliation for an article they did not
like. The Ethiopian government must make it a priority to bring to justice
those responsible for this violent act and ensure this does not happen again to
any of our colleagues."
Araegawi was attacked on Friday as he left his son's
school, where he had attended a parent-teacher association meeting. His assailants
struck him on the back of his head, leaving him unconscious and bleeding
severely. He was taken to hospital by a teacher and a guard at the school and
was treated for head injuries. He is still hospitalised and doctors have taken
a CT- scan to
check for signs of internal bleeding.
Before the attack, Araegawi received threatening
messages from unknown people who were unhappy with his investigative reports.
It has been reported that the police in Ethiopia have already arrested a
suspect and a taxi driver, whose cab was allegedly used as a "getaway car."
The IFJ calls on the Ethiopian authorities to ensure
this matter is investigated thoroughly and that those who planned the attack
are also apprehended and brought to justice.
For more information contact the IFJ at + 221 33 842 01 43
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide
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