This archive report was first published on 21 August 2020.
On August 5, 2020, Kenyan journalist Collins Juma Osemo, alias Yassin Juma, was granted bail by the Ethiopian judicial authorities. However, he remained in Sostegna police station until the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intervened.
According to the Foreign Office, Juma had contracted COVID-19 while in police custody and was transferred to a COVID-19 isolation facility. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs had expressed disappointment over his detention, calling it regrettable and causing immense anguish and anxiety to him, his family, and the people and Government of Kenya.
Yassin Juma was arrested on July 2 while covering protests in Ethiopia's Oromia region following the death of musician Hachalu Hundessa. He was held at Sostegna police station despite two court orders granting him bail.
"The Ministry has been informed that Collins Juma Osemo was released by the court in Arada sub-city on 5th August 2020. This decision was affirmed by the High court in Lideta on 7th August 2020," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs referenced in a recent letter.
Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had expressed disappointment over his detention, which it said was regrettable and had caused immense anguish and anxiety to him, his family, and the people and Government of Kenya.
