The CPJ said that at least 12 other journalists were still incarcerated, most facing terrorism charges, making Ethiopia the second-worst jailer of journalists in Africa, after its oppressive neighbour Eritrea/AFP-File
Four others also arrested in April 2014 remain in jail, accused of planning attacks and collaborating with US-based opposition group Ginbot 7, labelled by Ethiopian authorities as a terrorist organisation.
“They have suffered, their rights have been violated, but now we are happy,” defence lawyer Ameha Mekonnen told AFP, adding that the five were released on Wednesday.
Ameha said the decision to drop the charges was unexpected.
“We are all surprised,” he said, adding that the five were all now with their families. “The question is why did it take more than one year? We’ve been crying, shouting to the court, to the government.”
The trial of the four remaining bloggers is due to resume on July 20.
“The release of these five journalists is a welcome turn of events in Ethiopia, where the number of journalists in prison has steadily increased in recent years,” said Tom Rhodes from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).
“We call on authorities to release the remaining Zone 9 bloggers and all the journalists in jail for their work, and to drop all charges against them,” he said in a statement Thursday.
The CPJ said that at least 12 other journalists were still incarcerated, most facing terrorism charges, making Ethiopia the second-worst jailer of journalists in Africa, after its oppressive neighbour Eritrea.
Ethiopia is an ally of the West in the fight against Islamist extremism in East Africa, receiving millions of dollars in foreign aid, but has a dire record when it comes to human rights and press freedom.
In elections in May the ruling Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) coalition, in power since the end of a civil war in 1991, and its allies won every seat in parliament.
Obama is due to visit Ethiopia later this month as part of an Africa tour that includes a trip to Kenya, where his father was born.
In Ethiopia, Obama is expected to meet Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and address the African Union at its Addis Ababa headquarters.
In the unexpected move on Wednesday, state prosecutors dropped all charges against journalists Asmamaw Hailegiorgis, Edom Kassaye and Tesfalem Waldyes, and bloggers Mahlet Fantahun and Zelalem Kibret.
Four other members of Zone 9, a blogging collective, remain in jail while one other was charged in absentia.
“For us, there is no difference between the five released and the four still in jail. For them the case continues and we are ready,” said Ameha.
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