EU concerned over Swedish journalists' sentence in Ethiopia

(BRUSSELS) - EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton voiced "serious concern" on Tuesday over the 11-year jail sentence against two Swedish journalists in Ethiopia.

Ashton "notes with serious concern the judgment and sentencing of the two Swedish journalists Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson under the Ethiopian Anti-Terrorism Proclamation," her office said in a statement.

Schibbye, a reporter, and photographer Persson were sentenced to 11 years in jail by an Ethiopian court on charges of supporting terrorism and entering the country illegally.

"Their sentencing on terrorism related charges raises concerns about the freedom of media and expression in Ethiopia," Ashton's office said, noting that the two were conducting research as journalists.

"While recognising the Ethiopian judicial process, we hope that the two journalists can be released as soon as possible," it said.

"The EU will continue to closely monitor this case and will continue our dialogue with the Ethiopian Government on press freedom and human rights."

The pair were arrested in Ethiopia's Ogaden region on July 1 in the company of rebels from the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) after entering Ethiopia from Somalia.