An Ethiopian court has sentenced two Swedish journalists to 11 years in prison for helping and promoting the outlawed Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) rebel group and entering the country illegally.
The accusations and last week's guilty verdicts have provoked anger in Sweden and suggestions in the media the case has taken on a political dimension.
Reporter Martin Schibbye and photographer Johan Persson were arrested in July after they entered the Ogaden province from Somalia's semi-autonomous Puntland region with ONLF fighters.
Judge Shemsu Sirgaga said the convictions warranted a sentence of up to 14-and-a-half years, but noted the freelance journalists' good behaviour. The prosecution had asked for 18-and-a-half years.
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said last week that his country was seriously concerned about the judgment and the journalists should be freed as soon as possible.
The European Union expressed "serious concern" about the sentence and hoped the two would be released soon.
The two Swedes had also been charged with terrorism but were acquitted in November on that count, as the court did not believe they were involved in carrying out any attacks. They did admit to crossing the border without a permit.
Mr Schibbye and Mr Persson looked at the judge without expression as the sentence was read out and then translated by their lawyer. No family members were present.
