Police arrested Muhyidin Abdullahi Omar, an editor at the state-owned Harari Mass Media Agency and founder of the YouTube channel Biyyoo Production, in Ethiopia’s eastern Harari Region, his wife, Helen Jemal, told CPJ.
After his April 5, 2025, arrest, Omar was charged on April 28 with defamation and disseminating disinformation in connection with two Facebook posts, according to the charge sheet, reviewed by CPJ, in which he alleged mismanagement at a local mosque and corruption at the regional attorney general’s office. Muhyidin told CPJ that he was released on 20,000 birr (US$144) on June 26.
Muyhidin had been on administrative leave from Harari Mass Media Agency since 2022, following an arrest over his social media activity, but two days after his latest arrest, his employer suspended his salary pending a disciplinary meeting, according to Jemal and documents reviewed by CPJ.
CPJ’s April 2025 email to Harari regional police requesting comment was not answered.