Three Tigray TV journalists have been kidnapped while investigating illegal gold mining in Tigray. The three journalists named Tesfazsgi Asbey, Esayas Beyene and Atakalti Nigus were abducted on Sunday morning.
According to Tigray TV, the three journalists were conducting interview in Tsimbila, Asgede district. Asgede district is situated in the northwestern zone of Tigray. The jouranlists were conducting interview of farmers and others locals of the area when armed men bundled them into vehicles. The whereabouts of the journalists are still unknown and their cell phones are off.
The journalists have been visiting the mining areas for the past three days and talking to various stakeholders and local residents affected by illegal gold mining.
Tigray interim President Getachew Reda recently said that over 30 quintals of illegally extracted gold had been smuggled out of Tigray in recent months. General Tsadkan Gebretensae, Deputy President Tigray Interim Govt, last month urged federal government to deploy federal forces in the areas where illegal gold mining is underway.
President Getachew Reda accuses leaders of Tigray People’s Liberation Front Debretsion Gebremichael group of being involved in gold smuggling. According to local sources, foreigners, senior political and military leaders and local level influential people are part of gold extraction and smuggling network. North western Tigray is being largely controlled by TPLF Debretsion wing and Tigray military commanders. Tigray interim government has limited administrative control of the area.
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