PROMINENT JOURNALIST REPORTEDLY

According to RSF's sources, Yohannes died in a prison in Eiraeiro on 11 January 2007. He had been detained since 2001, following a widespread government crackdown on Eritrea's independent media. RSF says Fessehaye's death was caused by the extremely harsh conditions in which he had been held since his arrest.

CPJ cites a separate report from exiled opposition party leader Adhanom Gebremariam alleging that Yohannes died in December 2002 in a prison in Embatkala. Gebremariam, who was one of 15 ruling party officials accused of treason after writing a June 2001 public letter urging President Issayas Afewerki to democratise his regime, said he received the information from sources he still has in Eritrea.

A Voice of America report quoted Eritrea's presidential spokesman as denying both reports.

Yohannes was the recipient of a CPJ International Press Freedom Award in 2002. As editor of the weekly newspaper "Setit", he helped turn it into the largest-circulation newspaper in Eritrea before the 2001 crackdown. Yohannes was also a playwright.

In November 2006, RSF said it had received reports from sources that three other detained journalists died in prison. They were Said Abdulkader, co-founder and editor of the weekly "Admas", Medhanie Haile, co-founder and deputy editor of the weekly "Keste Debena", and Yusuf Mohamed Ali, the editor of the weekly "Tsigenay". The Eritrean government has not confirmed the allegations.

The International Press Institute (IPI) says Eritrea remains one of the world's worst countries for journalists. Harassment, detention, threats and physical attacks are commonplace for independent journalists still operating in the country, and most foreign media workers have left the country. Many journalists are held incommunicado and have never been formally charged. Few of the detainees have appeared before a judge or been provided with legal counsel, and officials have refused to supply any information regarding their health, whereabouts or legal status.

At least 14 other Eritrean journalists are being held incommunicado in secret jails, says CPJ.

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