Detained Kenyan journalist Yassin Juma tests positive for COVID-19

Kenyan journalist Yassin Juma who is in detention in Ethiopia has tested positive for COVID-19.

This was confirmed on Thursday by his lawyer Kedir Bullo, who said Juma contracted the disease in Ethiopia where he is being held.

Juma has been held in Ethiopia since his arrest in early July despite a court ordering his release on bail last Thursday.

Yassin Juma was arrested along with two Ethiopian journalists while covering protests that erupted after the killing of Oromo singer Hachalu Hundessa.

Hundessa, known for his political and activist songs, was gunned down in Addis Ababa in July, sparking widespread ethnic tensions.

Ethiopian police arrested the journalists along with opposition members and leader Jawar Mohammed at his home.

Police accused them of working together and charged them with inciting ethnic violence and plotting to kill Ethiopian officials.

The court ordered their release on bail after police officers failed to produce evidence of any crimes, said Bayisa.