Authorities did not officially disclose the reason for Befeqadu's arrest, but they told him that he was wanted by the highest-ranking military officer (also known as command post) that is instituted by the state of emergency. Later he was told that the interview he gave for Voice of America's Amharic Service about Ethiopia's state of emergency was the reason for his arrest, and that he either will be charged or given "educational" training.
Mamlaka hazikutangaza rasmi sababu ya kukamatwa kwa Befeqadu, lakini zilimwambia kuwa alitakiwa na afisa wa kijeshi wa ngazi za juu zaidi (ajulikanaye pia kama kituo cha kutoa amri) ambaye anaanzishwa na hali ya dharura. Baadaye aliambiwa kwamba mahojiano aliyotoa kwa ajili ya Huduma ya Kiamhari ya Marekani kuhusu hali ya dharura ya Ethiopia ndiyo sababu ya kukamatwa kwake, na kwamba ama atashtakiwa ama kupewa "elimu."