Belay is a professional journalist who has worked for both state and non-state media organizations. He is also the founder of EthioNews Media. He has been detained repeatedly due to his journalstic work and the political unrest in the country, both under the previous regime and the current one. During his last detention at Awash Arba Prison, he suffered greatly and was injured as well. After his recent release, the EHRDC received his accounts of torture, and shortly thereafter, he was forced to leave the country.