An Ethiopian judge sentenced two Swedish journalists in December 2011 to eleven years prison. They were accused of terrorist crimes and for entering Ethiopia illegally. Sweden sought cooperation with EU and other countries to release the men. They were pardoned and released on 10 September 2012.
Amnesty International demanded on 21 December 2011 to release immediately and unconditionally two Swedish journalists convicted by an Ethiopian court despite their legitimate journalistic work. According to Amnesty Ethiopien tries to silence the critics. The freedom of press is restricted. According to the
International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) "This is clearly an unfair and unjust sentence which adds to the anxiety of our colleagues and their families. The Swedish Union of Journalists is going to work closely with the journalists' families and is demanding that the Swedish Government ensures this injustice is remedied and our colleagues can return to their families and colleagues."
Reporters Without Borders was outraged that an Addis Ababa court found Swedish journalists
Johan Persson and
Martin Schibbye guilty of supporting terrorism. RWB voiced disapproval of the way the Ethiopian judicial system was handling the case and warned of the danger of serious diplomatic repercussions of the jail sentences. “Every meeting between Ethiopian officials and their European or western counterparts will henceforth be affected by this case.” ==Trade==