Ethiopia

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It has been exactly a year ago since Ethiopian forces in the Ogaden Province arrested the two Swedish journalists Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson. They have been sentenced for “terrorism” and remain in prison. In this article, the Ethiopian journalist Mesfin Negash explains the situation and puts their fate in its larger context—that of growing threats to journalists everywhere.

Two journalists detained incommunicado without charge

The Awramba Times deputy editor Woubshet Taye and Feteh columnist Reeyot Alemu have been arrested. Neither has been charged to date but it is thought that both were arrested under Ethiopia’s sweeping 2009 antiterrorism law, which allows for prison sentences of up to 20 years.

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