EBU President Jean-Paul Philippot has denounced an Ethiopian court's decision to convict two Swedish journalists on terrorism charges, a move broadly dismissed as unjust and politically motivated.
Mr Philippot, who is also the Director General of francophone Belgian public broadcaster, RTBF, described the convictions of Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye on Wednesday (December 21) as a "sham" that had brought ridicule on the Ethiopian justice system.
Speaking from Brussels, he said: "This show trial came amid a general crackdown on reporting from the sensitive Ogaden region of Ethiopia. But the EBU believes it is essential to the success of any society that journalists be allowed to do their job freely and unmolested. The EBU adds its voice to the growing international chorus calling for these men to be released without delay."
In pronouncing the court's verdict, Ethiopian judge Shemsu Sirgaga said Persson and Schibbye had "failed to prove that they had not supported terrorism" – a finding that human rights groups have branded "absurd", since a basic tenet of justice demands that the prosecution demonstrate a crime was committed, instead of the defence proving it was not.
Freelancers Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye were captured while on a reporting assignment six months ago during a clash with rebels in the East African state's Somali region. Now convicted of "supporting terrorism", the pair could face 15 years in jail.
(Source : European Broadcasting Union)
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