Ethiopian journalist and content creator Salsawit Baynesagn, who was detained by police on June 8, has been released, her family has confirmed.
Her sister, Haymanot Bayneshan on Tuesday said she was released on bail from the Third Police Division in the Ethiopian capital.
Baynesagn was taken from her residence by uniformed police about two weeks ago. She did not appear in court prior to her release.
Police have not disclosed the reason for her arrest. However, sources on social media allege that she was detained over content she published online regarding the reported massacre of Orthodox Christians in the Arsi Zone of the Oromia region of Ethiopia.
On Friday, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) published a report on her arrest and called for her release.
Baynesagn previously worked for state-owned media outlets Walta Information and Fana Broadcasting Corporate.
Since leaving those state-run media outlets, she has been working independently. Baynesagn has become a prominent social media content creator, engaging audiences on topics ranging from human rights violations to history, culture, and justice.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) last Friday called on Ethiopian authorities to immediately release journalist Baynesagn or bring her before a court and disclose any charges against her, warning her continued detention without judicial review raises serious due process concerns.
In a statement issued on 19 June, the New York-based press freedom organization said Baynesagn had been held since her arrest on 8 June without being formally charged or presented before a court, and urged authorities to ensure she is not being detained in retaliation for commentary published on social media.
MG/abj/APA