2 Swedish reporters jailed for 'aiding' Ethiopian rebel group
Source: Agencies |
December 28, 2011, Wednesday
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A COURT in Ethiopia yesterday sentenced two Swedish journalists to 11 years in prison on charges of supporting terrorism after the two illegally entered the country with an ethnic Somali rebel group in a case that has been criticized by media rights groups.
Judge Shemsu Sirgaga ruled that the two freelance journalists, Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye, will serve "rigorous imprisonment" following their convictions last week.
Ethiopian troops had captured Persson and Schibbye six months ago during a clash with rebels in eastern Ethiopia's restive Somali region, a no-go area for reporters. Ethiopia considers the rebel group a terrorist organization, and it is very difficult for journalists to gain access to the region. Rights groups say that is so abuses there are not exposed.
The judge has accused the Ogaden National Liberation Front, or ONLF, of organizing the Swedes' journey starting in London. Outlawed groups in many countries frequently facilitate the travels of reporters in order to have their version of events told.
There was no visible reaction to the sentencing from the two journalists. The defendants' lawyers planned to hold a meeting at the Swedish Embassy later yesterday to discuss the possibility of an appeal.
In Sweden, Foreign Ministry spokesman Anders Jorle called the sentencing expected but regrettable. He said Sweden has been in contact with the Ethiopian government over the court case "at a high level."
Their Swedish lawyer, Thomas Olsson told national broadcaster SVT that the sentence was a disappointment, but that he and his clients had not yet decided if they would appeal.
The chairman of the Swedish Union of Journalists, Jonas Nordling, has said that the court's decision was aimed at deterring reporters from investigating alleged human rights abuses. Nordling said there was no evidence to support the journalists' conviction on terror charges.
Persson and Schibbye said they had been gathering news about a Swedish oil company that is exploring Ethiopia's Somali region for oil. Sweden's foreign minister, Carl Bildt, was a member of the board of the company - Lundin Petroleum - between 2000 and 2006, and left the board when he was appointed foreign minister.
Judge Shemsu Sirgaga ruled that the two freelance journalists, Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye, will serve "rigorous imprisonment" following their convictions last week.
Ethiopian troops had captured Persson and Schibbye six months ago during a clash with rebels in eastern Ethiopia's restive Somali region, a no-go area for reporters. Ethiopia considers the rebel group a terrorist organization, and it is very difficult for journalists to gain access to the region. Rights groups say that is so abuses there are not exposed.
The judge has accused the Ogaden National Liberation Front, or ONLF, of organizing the Swedes' journey starting in London. Outlawed groups in many countries frequently facilitate the travels of reporters in order to have their version of events told.
There was no visible reaction to the sentencing from the two journalists. The defendants' lawyers planned to hold a meeting at the Swedish Embassy later yesterday to discuss the possibility of an appeal.
In Sweden, Foreign Ministry spokesman Anders Jorle called the sentencing expected but regrettable. He said Sweden has been in contact with the Ethiopian government over the court case "at a high level."
Their Swedish lawyer, Thomas Olsson told national broadcaster SVT that the sentence was a disappointment, but that he and his clients had not yet decided if they would appeal.
The chairman of the Swedish Union of Journalists, Jonas Nordling, has said that the court's decision was aimed at deterring reporters from investigating alleged human rights abuses. Nordling said there was no evidence to support the journalists' conviction on terror charges.
Persson and Schibbye said they had been gathering news about a Swedish oil company that is exploring Ethiopia's Somali region for oil. Sweden's foreign minister, Carl Bildt, was a member of the board of the company - Lundin Petroleum - between 2000 and 2006, and left the board when he was appointed foreign minister.
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