Swedish journalists receive 11 years in jail By the CNN Wire Staff. December 27, 2011 -- Updated 1238
The trial against the journalists turned into a fight for press freedom in Ethiopia, according to international journalists' organizations. In a letter sent to the United Nations, Reporters without Borders accused Ethiopia of using its anti-terrorism law to lessen press freedom and penalize free speech.
"In the name of the fight against terrorism, the government muzzles dissident and critical voices, thus abusing human rights and fundamental freedoms," wrote the secretary general of Reporters without Borders, Jean-Francois Julliard.
BBC: Ethiopia jails Swedish journalists on terror charges
Försvarsadvokat Tomas Olsson säger att åklagaren enligt ett rykte redan överklagat domen på 11 års fängelse.
Deutsche Welle: Ethiopian court jails Swedish journalists Outside court in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, defense lawyer Abebe Balcha noted the judges had originally planned to hand down longer sentences of more than 14 years, but that the sentence had been reduced because of the "reputation of the defendants."
The Star Online: Ethiopia jails two Swedish journalists for aiding rebels "The authorities in Addis Ababa seemed to have been rankled with the perceived backing of Ethiopia's opposition by Stockholm," A Western diplomat, who declined to be named, said.
MSN UK: Ethiopia journalists get 11 years
REUTERS: Ethiopia jails two Swedish journalists for aiding rebels Persson's father told Swedish news agency TT the government had promised to contact the Ethiopian government.
"We also expect the government to contact the European Union and the United States, since these (countries) have given their support to Johan and Martin," Kjell Persson said.
Al Jazeera: Swedish reporters in Ethiopia 'terror' trial
SVT Play: Etiopiens president om domen
Svenska regeringen betraktar domen på 11 års fängelse för de bägge svenska journalisterna i Etiopien som utomordentligt allvarlig. Svenskarna ska nu avgöra om de ska överklaga domen eller ansöka om nåd. SVT:s korrespondent Eva Elmsäter var med när domen föll.
SVT Play: Eliasson hoppfull efter presidentuttalande Fd utrikesminister Jan Eliasson anser att uttalanden från Etiopiens president ger hopp om att svenska journalisterna skulle kunna bli benåda vid en ev. nådeansökan.
INDEX ON CENSORSHIP: Ethiopia: Swedish journalists jailed on terrorism charges
Global Post: Ethiopia court finds Swedish journalists guilty of supporting terrorism
Voice of America: Ethiopia Sentences Swedish Journalists to 11 Years in Prison European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton expressed 'serious concern' saying that while recognizing the Ethiopian judicial process, they hope that the two journalists can be released as soon as possible.
IOL News: Ethiopia jails Swedish journalists
RTE News: Two Swedish journalists jailed in Ethiopia
Indian Express: Swedish reporters sentenced to 11 yrs in Ethiopia Judge Shemsu Sirgaga ruled that the two freelance journalists, Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye, will serve “rigorous imprisonment’’ following their convictions last week.
Comittee to Protect Journalists, CPJ: In Ethiopia, Swedish journalists handed prison terms
Business day: Journalists jailed for 11 years in Ethiopia
Hong Kong Standard: Ethiopia jails newsmen arrested with rebels
Irish Times: Jailing of two Swedish journalists criticised One of the journalists’ lawyers said his clients were weighing the option of an appeal, but that for now there was no talk of pleading for clemency. “We are only talking about the possibility of appealing for the time being, which follows judicial procedure,” defence lawyer Sileshi Ketsela said. “The government does not respect the rule of law that is made in parliament. This is our reality,” said 30-year-old Nebiyu Desta Yiman, who is seeking political asylum in Sweden. “These two, and thousands of others, should be released.”
Deusche Welle: Germany tells Ethiopia: 'Respect human rights, then aid will flow'
"In response, Germany's development ministry says it will decide by March 2012 whether Ethiopia should continue receiving aid totaling 14 million euros ($18 million). "This particular sum is intended to boost the private sector and not the public sector of the Ethiopian economy," Kitschelt said. "If a country's human rights record is deteriorating as is the case in Ethiopia, then the German government needs to assess whether development aid to that country is essential or not. I personally would only agree to pay out the cash once there has been significant improvement in human rights", Hoppe stated."
MENAFN: Swedish journalists sentenced to 11 years