ICIJ journalist Micah Reddy freed after 4 days in secretive Djibouti custody

ICIJ Africa coordinator and journalist Micah Reddy has been released from custody in Djibouti.

Reddy, who had been held secretly after being detained on Saturday, flew out of the country today following his release.

Reddy arrived in Djibouti on Sept. 17 and went silent around 1 p.m. local time on Sept. 19, along with his local assistant, Mohamed Willo Ismael (“Kooki Mahmoud”).

Ismael is understood to be free as well.

ICIJ raised the alarm within hours of the two men’s disappearance from the Escale International Hotel in Djibouti City, when messages to the pair went unanswered.

On Sept. 21, ICIJ confirmed unofficially through diplomatic and other channels that Reddy was in custody, understood to be held for failing to obtain proper media accreditation.

The South African, British and U.S. governments all assisted in reaching out to Djiboutian authorities for information.

Djibouti authorities did not publicly confirm his whereabouts or provide access to Reddy until today.

The many calls for press freedom and for the men’s swift release are an example of the solidarity that matters when a journalist’s safety is put at risk.

—ICIJ director Gerard Ryle

Reddy’s family expressed its relief at his and Ismael’s release but dismay over his treatment and the secrecy surrounding it.

They thanked helpers on the ground, the South African and UK governments, press freedom organizations, ICIJ and the many journalists who had assisted.

They also thanked Reddy’s legal team for its international efforts.

“Waiting for news of a loved one whose whereabouts and wellbeing are unknown is unimaginably painful,” the Reddy family statement said.

“We are profoundly grateful that, for our family, this story has had a happy ending.”

ICIJ echoed the Reddy family in expressing its gratitude to all whose vocal response helped both to discover that Reddy had been held secretly in custody and to secure his freedom.

“The many calls for press freedom and for the men’s swift release are an example of the solidarity that matters when a journalist’s safety is put at risk,” ICIJ director Gerard Ryle said.

Ryle thanked the staff of the U.S. Embassy in Djibouti for their assistance in securing the release of Reddy.

He added his thanks to South African diplomat Zane Dangor, to the U.K. Embassy in Washington DC and to its consular services in London.

Ryle added that four days in secretive custody is unacceptable treatment for any investigative journalist.

And he thanked Reddy’s wife Nicole and brother Niall for their immense efforts to secure Reddy’s release, and their stoic forbearance under extreme pressure.

The Committee to Protect Journalists, Human Rights Defenders, Reporters Without Borders, Gift of the Givers and Amnesty International were among the organizations that assisted in these efforts.

Many reporters also lent their aid, notably South African publisher and journalist Branko Brkic.

At this stage, all the details and circumstances of Reddy’s arrest are unknown. But he and his local guide are safe, healthy and free.