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Swedish journalists found guilty in Ethiopia | Swedish journalists found guilty in Ethiopia |
(40 minutes later) | |
An Ethiopian court has convicted two Swedish journalists of supporting terrorism. | An Ethiopian court has convicted two Swedish journalists of supporting terrorism. |
Ethiopian troops captured Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye six months ago during a clash with rebels in the East African state's Somali region. | Ethiopian troops captured Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye six months ago during a clash with rebels in the East African state's Somali region. |
The court ruled it was "very unlikely" that they had only entered Ethiopia illegally to gather news. | The court ruled it was "very unlikely" that they had only entered Ethiopia illegally to gather news. |
Ethiopia regards the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) rebel group as a terrorist organisation. | Ethiopia regards the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) rebel group as a terrorist organisation. |
Judge Shemsu Sirgaga said the group arranged the Swedes' journey from London to Ethiopia, with stop-overs in Kenya and Somalia, the AP news agency reports. | Judge Shemsu Sirgaga said the group arranged the Swedes' journey from London to Ethiopia, with stop-overs in Kenya and Somalia, the AP news agency reports. |
'Expressionless' | |
"Guilty as charged, period, unanimous vote," the judge is quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. | "Guilty as charged, period, unanimous vote," the judge is quoted as saying by the AFP news agency. |
"They have shown that they are esteemed journalists, but we cannot conclude that someone with a good reputation doesn't engage in criminal acts." | "They have shown that they are esteemed journalists, but we cannot conclude that someone with a good reputation doesn't engage in criminal acts." |
Persson and Schibbye were charged under Ethiopia's anti-terrorism law and could be jailed for up to 15 years. | Persson and Schibbye were charged under Ethiopia's anti-terrorism law and could be jailed for up to 15 years. |
Both reporters appeared expressionless at the verdict and it was not clear whether they understood the judge since they had no translator, AFP reports. | Both reporters appeared expressionless at the verdict and it was not clear whether they understood the judge since they had no translator, AFP reports. |
During their trial, they admitted entering Ethiopia illegally with the ONLF but denied terrorism charges. | During their trial, they admitted entering Ethiopia illegally with the ONLF but denied terrorism charges. |
The court will sentence the two next week. | The court will sentence the two next week. |
Since the 1970s, the ONLF has been fighting for the rights of Somali-speaking Ethiopians, who they say have been marginalised by the government in Addis Ababa. | Since the 1970s, the ONLF has been fighting for the rights of Somali-speaking Ethiopians, who they say have been marginalised by the government in Addis Ababa. |
One ONLF faction signed a peace deal with the government last year, but another splinter group has continued to fight the army. | One ONLF faction signed a peace deal with the government last year, but another splinter group has continued to fight the army. |
Human rights groups have repeatedly accused the government of widespread atrocities in the Somali-speaking region, where journalists need permission to travel. | Human rights groups have repeatedly accused the government of widespread atrocities in the Somali-speaking region, where journalists need permission to travel. |