In November 2005, she was arrested along with thirteen other reporters, including her husband, Eskinder Nega, after publishing articles critical of the Ethiopian government's actions during the May 2005 parliamentary elections, where the regime was completely defeated, getting zero vote in Addis Ababa the capital, but refused to leave power, using its military muscle. They were all charged with "treason, outrages against the Constitution and incitement to armed conspiracy". Nafkot, Serkalem and Eskinder's son was born in captivity. Baby Nafkot, mother Serkalem and father Eskinder were released on 10 April 2007, under “presidential pardon”.