Tag: Yassin Juma news

Yassin Juma is a renowned Kenyan journalist who has been locked up in Ethiopia for no fault of his own and after 50 days, he can now celebrate his freedom going by recent developments.

Also read: COVID-19 positive journalist Yassin Juma speaks of his plight behind police cells in Ethiopia

Just yesterday, his distressing letter from Ethiopia’s unsafe police cells went viral after airing his plight, as a COVID-19 patient who received no medical treatment for his condition, holding to the belief he would not make it out alive.

Following uproar from the Kenyan public, Ethiopian Attorney General yesterday, August 18 ordered for Mr Yassin’s release from police custody.

“According to the office of the Attorney General, Juma was detained wrongfully because of language barrier,” the journalist’s lawyer Abdulletif Amee stated in a report seen by Daily Nation.

Also read: Kenyan journalist Yassin Juma tests positive for Coronavirus

This left Mr Amee questioning the motive behind his client’s detention for something as mere as language barrier.

“Is it convincing enough to say he was detained because of misunderstanding? Is that a tactic to escape from liability?” Mr Amee continued.

Yassin Juma and nine other suspects’ trial kicked off yesterday morning though he did not appear in court following his COVID-19 positive status.

The public prosecutor opposed Mr Juma’s bail grant, asking for an additional 15 days, a request the court utterly rejected.

August 18, Kenya demanded for Mr Juma’s urgent release bearing in mind orders from an Ethiopian court to free the journalist after meeting bail terms, that were defied.

“The Ministry is deeply concerned that despite the decision of the court, Mr Osemo is still in police custody. The continued detention of this Kenyan national despite the decision of the court and payment of bail is highly regrettable and has caused immense anguish and anxiety to him, his family, the people and the government of the Republic of Kenya,” reads in part a letter by Kenya to the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry dated August 12.

The former NTV journalist, born Collins Juma Osemo, had been set for release on August 5 after paying up the stated $85 (appr. KShs 9,200) bail according to court orders. He was arrested on July 3, 2020.

Kenyan respected journalist, Yassin Juma has been held in Ethiopia for more than 47 days now and confirmed positive for Coronavirus barely a week ago.

Also read: Kush Tracey tests positive for COVID-19

Friday, August 14, the former NTV journalist confirmed his COVID-19 results and sadly, despite his condition, no medication, no medical attention was accorded to him and he remains doubtful he will make it out alive.

A father, husband and grandfather who has been separated from his loved ones for a crime he does not believe he committed but the mere fact that he could give a voice to the voiceless. And for that, the innocent are suffering.

Also read: Kenyan journalist Yassin Juma tests positive for Coronavirus

His letter reads in part;

My family depends on me. I do not know how they can manage to feed or pay rent. I have seven children and one grandson living with my ex-wife. They all depend on me.

The conditions in the cells are not even conducive for his recovery nor well-being, locked up with 68 more inmates.

I am currently being held at Block (W) with 68 other Covid-19 positive inmates with no access to medication in overcrowded cells, no running water and no diet to assist us with our condition.

For Yassin, his condition is only worsening behind bars, with the Kenyan government silent about his treatment in the foreign country despite the courts affirming his release.

My health is failing with each passing day, and am not sure if I will make it. It is 50-50 with coronavirus but the condition in detention make my survival chances less. The Kenyan government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has failed to secure my freedom even after 2 courts (Lower and High Court) released me last Monday.

His plea being one;

All I am asking the Ethiopian government is to either charge me or set me free. They have failed to bring evidence in court to charge me.

Wrapping up;

Kindly pass my greetings and love to my children and grandson. Remember me in your prayers as I fight coronavirus and injustice.

Yassin Juma, a Kenyan journalist whose detention in Ethiopia sparked online uproar has tested positive for Covid-19.

This is according to a statement by his lawyer Kedir Bullo who confirmed the reports on Thursday, August 13.

Also read: Jeff Koinange officially resumes duty after 3-week absence (Video)

Mr Yasin is believed to have contracted the virus while at Sostegna Police station where he was being held.

This comes just after a court granted him bail last week after the police failed to produce evidence on any crimes committed; even though his lawyers claim he is yet to be released.

Also read: 6 female Kenya celebrity journalists born of mixed descent

The former NTV journalist was arrested in July following protests over the assassination of popular singer Hachalu Hundesa which had caused more that 80 deaths.

Juma had been alleged to be working for an opposition leader in the country at the time of his arrest.

Mr Yassin alongside two Ethiopian journalists were charged with inciting ethnic violence and plotting to kill senior Ethiopian officials.

Charges they pleaded not guilty to.