Detained Kenyan Journalist Yassin Juma Contracts Covid-19 in Ethiopian Police Cell

Kenyan journalist Yassin Juma who is being detained in Ethiopia has tested positive for Covid-19.

Juma contracted the virus at Sostegna Police Station, where he is being held, according to his lawyer Kefir Bullo.

Last week, an Ethiopian court ordered the release of Juma on bail after police failed to provide evidence to prove he committed a criminal offense. His attorney said police have refused to free him despite having paid the bill.

Juma was arrested on July 3rd alongside several other suspects on accusations of inciting ethnic violence and plotting to kill senior Ethiopian officials.

The arrest was linked to the protests that broke out in Ethiopia's Oromia region following the killing of popular musician Hachalu Hundessa.

Hundessa, who was perceived as an activist for the Oromo ethnic group, was shot dead while driving in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa on June 29th, 2020.

His killing triggered violent protests that claimed the lives of over 230 people. Before his killing, Hundessa had reportedly been receiving death threats.

Kenyan Ambassador to Ethiopia Catherine Mwangi this week wrote a protest letter to the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry over the continued detention of Juma.

“The embassy notes with concern that he has still not been released and that this is causing him and his family a lot of distress,” part of the letter reads.