Swedish reporters sentenced to 11 years in Ethiopia

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 criticised 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 organisation, and it is very difficult for journalists to gain access to the region. Human rights groups claim that is so that abuses there are not exposed.