Yassin Juma contracts Covid-19 in Ethiopian prison

Kenyan Journalist Yassin Juma, who remains in an Ethiopian prison despite a court ordering his release on bail, has tested positive for Covid-19.

His lawyers confirmed that he has contracted the virus.

This comes more than a week after an Ethiopian court on August 5 granted 3,000 birr ($85) bail for his freedom. 

However, Ethiopian authorities have declined to release the Kenyan Journalist after the Addis Ababa Police Commission appealed against the court's decision.

This is according to Mr Abdulletif Amee, one among the three Ethiopian lawyers who is defending Mr Juma voluntarily.

Juma, whose real name is Collins Juma Osemo, was picked up by security agents on July 3 from the home of Jawar Mohammed, an activist and critic of PM Abiy Ahmed. 

Mr Mohammed is also the founder of Oromia Media Network (OMN) and is being held by Ethiopian authorities, accused of crimes related to undermining authorities.

Mr Juma is facing several charges including incitement and involvement in violence, plotting to create ethnic violence and plotting to kill senior Ethiopian officials.

These are the same charges that have been levelled against several opposition politicians after protests erupted following the assassination of Oromo musician Hachalu Hundessa.