The Ethiopian artist was arrested in connection with the death of a friend. Gobeze Sisay, a 37-year-old father of two, was the victim of a tragic event that had nothing to do with the digital realm of media. Gobeze became a journalist almost immediately after eagerly welcomed the rays of optimism that Ethiopian journalists witnessed four years ago after a change of power. The passion surrounding press freedom began to subside after that, but Gobeze’s enthusiasm for the profession did not.
On the night of Eid al-Fitr, a group of armed men in plainclothes climbed over the gate of the compound where he lives and stormed his home. He was bewildered and enraged by the scenario, mistaking them for criminals until one of them took the time to identify the group.
“With the exception of pressing the trigger, they engaged in a litany of rogue behavior while inside the complex,” he stated. After an ordeal that lasted eight nights and nine days, he was blindfolded and carried back to his house, with neither his family, colleagues, nor his lawyer knowing where he was. He alleged that he was kidnapped by members of the national defense forces and intelligence officers. He has no idea where he was, which is surprising.
