ADDIS
ABABA, Ethiopia — A witness in a terror trial against two Swedish journalists
arrested in Ethiopia told a court on Tuesday that the pair planned to “support”
a rebel group.
Ethiopian
troops captured journalists Johan Persson and Martin Schibbye during a clash
with rebels in the Ogaden in the country’s restive east in July. Journalists
are prohibited from traveling freely in Ogaden, which borders Somalia.
Police
inspector Mohamed Ahmed told an Ethiopian court on Tuesday that the two Swedes
told him that they traveled to Ethiopia to work and to support the rebel group
the Ogaden National Liberation Front, also known as the ONLF.
When asked
by an Associated Press reporter after the court session adjourned if they ever
admitted to supporting the ONLF, the Swedes laughed and shook their heads “no.”
The two
Swedes pleaded not guilty to charges of terrorism during a preliminary hearing
Oct. 20 but admitted to having violated immigration laws.
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