On August 11, 2025, masked men abducted Ethiopian journalist Abdulsemed Mohammed, host of Ahadu Radio’s Kidame Gebeya program and operator of the YouTube channel Salon Tube, in the capital Addis Ababa as he was returning from taking his driving test, according to news reports, a statement by his media production company, and a relative who spoke to CPJ on condition of anonymity, citing fears of reprisal.
Abdulsemed was briefly seen on August 14 accompanying police officers who searched his office in the capital’s Haya Hulet Mazoria neighborhood, that relative said.
On August 22, he was released without charge, after 12 days. Authorities did not acknowledge that Abdulsemed had been in their custody or disclose the basis for his detention.
CPJ did not receive responses to its August 2025 requests for comment emailed to the federal and Addis Ababa police.