Ethiopian journalist arrested in reported crackdown

A prominent Ethiopian journalist has been arrested by people who are believed to be security officers, local media report.

Reports say Dawit Begashaw, a freelance journalist, was “abducted by security forces” on Wednesday evening.

Mereja website said the whereabouts of the journalist remains unknown.

According to Mereja, another journalist, Meskerem Abera, was arrested over the weekend.

“In recent months, non-state-affiliated media outlets are coming under relentless attacks as the Ethiopian government moves to stifle critical voices,” the website added.

Media watchdogs accuse Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration of eroding press freedom gains in the country amid ethnic conflicts and a civil war in the north of the country.