Ethiopia: Swedish Journos Get 11 Years Prison



Johan Persson - Martin Schibbye

(Addis Ababa, Ethiopia) Two Swedish journalists, photographer Johan Persson and reporter Martin Schibbye, have each been sentenced to 11 years in prison for supporting terrorism and entering Ethiopia illegally.

Human rights groups say Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is using Ethiopia's anti-terrorism law to stifle dissent. On the other hand,

Ethiopian officials have denied using the trial as politically motivated reprisal.

“How can there be a political motive when prosecutors provided evidence throughout the trial and the defendants themselves admitted to entering the country illegally with rebels?” Justice Ministry Spokesman Desalegn Deressa told Reuters.

Ethiopian government spokesman Bereket Simon told AFP that international human rights groups were “interested only in regime change.” He added, “We feel these people do not understand the concept of rule of law.”

Understandably, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has criticized the sentence, claiming the principles of due process have been violated in the case. Meanwhile in Washington, a State Department spokesperson expressed concern.