Government. The Complainants further allege that in July 2014, photojournalist Aziza Mohamed was arrested outside Anwar Mosque in Addis Ababa under the false accusation of inciting violence while she was just documenting Muslim protesters. They emphasize that the risks associated with operating in Ethiopia during the 2015 elections led to over 30 journalists fleeing the country in 2014. 119. The Complainants further cite the case of the Zone 9 Bloggers Collective, where six members of the group were arrested, held incommunicado at Maekelawi detention center in Addis Ababa, and later charged under the provisions of the 2009 Anti-Terrorism Proclamation for allegedly collaborating with foreign organizations and inciting public disorder through social media. The Complainants assert that the bloggers endured brutal interrogations and physical torture during detention to extract false confessions. They submit that 3 of the Bloggers chose to go into exile to evade imprisonment while still facing charges in absentia. 120. The Complainants assert that following the suspension of their blogging activities in 2013 due to harassment and safety concerns, the Zone 9 Bloggers later declared their intention to resume blogging on 23 April 2015, just before the 2015 elections, resulting in the detention of 6 members of the blogging team, including Befeqadu Hailu, Atnaf Berahane, Natnael Feleke, Mahlet Kibret, and Abel Wabela, along with 3 Journalists believed to have affiliations with them. They add that these Bloggers were unlawfully held in Maekelawi prison for 80 days without specific charges despite being later charged under the AntiTerrorism Proclamation and Criminal Code for unsubstantiated allegations of collaborating with "terrorist organizations.” 121. The Complainants allege that during their detention, the Bloggers were subjected to unlawful interrogation methods, including physical and mental torture such as sleep deprivation, food deprivation, extraction of their nails, flogging, and hooding, which coerced false confessions and resulted in the Bloggers making self-incriminating statements to the officials. 122. The Complainants argue that despite reports of arbitrary detention and intimidation by the Respondent State, the African Union's Electoral Observer Mission inaccurately portrayed the political environment as peaceful and calm before the May 24 elections, failing to acknowledge the pre-electoral restrictions on civic space, thereby leading to an election that did not truly reflect the opinions of the Ethiopian people. ~ 22 ~ African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights 31 Bijilo Annex Layout, Kombo North District, West Coast Region, The Gambia, Phone: (220) 230 4361 Fax: (220) 441 05 04 Email: au-banjul@africa-union.org https:/achpr.au.int/