Swedish journalists jailed in Ethiopia on terror charges
December 27th, 2011 - 5:58 pm ICT by IANSLondon, Dec 27 (IANS) Two Swedish journalists have been jailed for 11 years in Ethiopia for entering the country illegally and supporting terrorism, BBC reported Tuesday.
Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson were detained in July after they entered Ethiopia from Somalia with rebels from the Ogaden National Liberation Front.
Lawyers for the two journalists said they were considering an appeal.
The two acknowledged that they made contact with the rebels.
However, they said they did that so they could report on the activities of a Swedish oil company in a region where Ethiopian authorities do not allow journalists to enter.
The rebels have been fighting for the independence of the Ogaden region since 1984.
The convictions of the two journalists have been criticised by the Swedish government.
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Tags: 11 years, bbc, convictions, ethiopian authorities, johan persson, journalists, lawyers, london, national liberation front, ogaden national liberation, ogaden national liberation front, ogaden region, oil company, rebels, somalia, swedish government, terror charges, terrorism