Edom Kassaye

Kassaye is one of the Zone 9 Bloggers, a group formed in 2012 to publish political commentary online in the face of tightening restrictions on expression. Following her initial arrest in 2014, she was released in 2015 after being detained with other group members. She and her colleagues were charged for their online activities, though all were acquitted of terrorism-related offenses. The case drew international attention to Ethiopia’s suppression of dissent and use of anti-terror laws against critics. Kassaye remains recognized for her role in advancing press freedom.