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EU pair face Ethiopia expulsion EU pair face Ethiopia expulsion
(about 2 hours later)
Two EU officials have been given 24 hours to leave Ethiopia after being caught allegedly attempting to smuggle two fugitives to Kenya.Two EU officials have been given 24 hours to leave Ethiopia after being caught allegedly attempting to smuggle two fugitives to Kenya.
The wanted men, who have since been arrested, were Ethiopians who worked for the European Commission. The wanted pair, who have since been arrested, were Ethiopians who worked for the European Commission.
The interior ministry says they were wanted for "serious crimes" but did not give further details.The interior ministry says they were wanted for "serious crimes" but did not give further details.
The expulsions come at a time of strong international criticism of Ethiopia over disputed last year's elections. The expulsions come at a time of strong international criticism of Ethiopia over last year's disputed elections.
The EU halted budgetary aid to Ethiopia in the wake of the poll and the wave of violence that followed.The EU halted budgetary aid to Ethiopia in the wake of the poll and the wave of violence that followed.
Any international organisation operating in Ethiopia needs to respect the laws of the host country and face punishment if it violates the law Interior ministry
Until the election violence, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had been seen as part of a "new generation" of African leaders.
The chief observer for the EU during the elections, Ana Gomes, on Thursday said a leaked report into an alleged "massacre" confirmed that the government did not respect human rights.The chief observer for the EU during the elections, Ana Gomes, on Thursday said a leaked report into an alleged "massacre" confirmed that the government did not respect human rights.
She also condemned the detention of the two diplomats, saying it shows that Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's government is determined to repress democratic activity. She also condemned the detention of the two diplomats, saying it shows that Mr Meles' government is determined to repress democratic activity.
'Punishment'
A statement from Ethiopia's interior ministry said the officials' attempt "violates the sovereignty of the country while jeopardising the security of the nation".A statement from Ethiopia's interior ministry said the officials' attempt "violates the sovereignty of the country while jeopardising the security of the nation".
"Any international organisation operating in Ethiopia needs to respect the laws of the host country and face punishment if it violates the law," the statement added."Any international organisation operating in Ethiopia needs to respect the laws of the host country and face punishment if it violates the law," the statement added.
Neither the diplomats, nor the fugitives have been named.Neither the diplomats, nor the fugitives have been named.
The car with diplomatic number plates was stopped near the southern border town of Moyale.The car with diplomatic number plates was stopped near the southern border town of Moyale.
The leaked report said that 193 people were killed following protests last year over elections, which the opposition said were rigged. In a separate incident, EC lawyer Yalemzewd Bekele was arrested trying to cross the border into Kenya on Thursday morning, according to human rights group Amnesty International.
Most of these were killed by police, said the report's author, a judge who has now fled the country. Amnesty says they are concerned that she is at a high risk of being tortured.
The lawyer was accompanied by someone else, Amnesty says but they have no details about the other person's identity or whereabouts.
The human rights group says that they believe Yalemzewd Bekele was arrested in connection with the publication and distribution of a calendar of action for non-violent civil disobedience by the opposition party Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD).
CUD was in the forefront of protests over last May's elections, saying they were cheated of victory.
Several CUD leaders are on trial on a number of charges, including one of trying to overthrow the government.
The leaked report said that 193 people were killed following protests over the elections.
Most of these were killed by police, said the report's author, judge Wolde-Michael Meshesha, who has now fled the country saying he fears for his life.