الرئيسية
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) — A court in Ethiopia on Tuesday 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 plan to hold a meeting at the Swedish Embassy later Tuesday 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, could not be immediately reached for comment but told national
broadcaster SVT that the sentence was a disappointment, but that he and
his clients had not yet decided if they would appeal.
"We will try
to adjust to the new situation and help them as much as possible," he
said, noting that an appeal can take up to two years and that the
alternative would be for them to try to get pardoned.
"The latter
means that they have to confess to these crimes and apologize, which of
course is a hard thing to do when you regard yourself innocent. That's
why an appeal is natural, but it's a tough decision. That's what Martin
and Johan are up against in the coming 15 days," Olsson said.
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 plan to hold a meeting at the Swedish Embassy later Tuesday 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, could not be immediately reached for comment but told national
broadcaster SVT that the sentence was a disappointment, but that he and
his clients had not yet decided if they would appeal.
"We will try
to adjust to the new situation and help them as much as possible," he
said, noting that an appeal can take up to two years and that the
alternative would be for them to try to get pardoned.
"The latter
means that they have to confess to these crimes and apologize, which of
course is a hard thing to do when you regard yourself innocent. That's
why an appeal is natural, but it's a tough decision. That's what Martin
and Johan are up against in the coming 15 days," Olsson said.