• Sweden edition
Society

Jailed Swedes subjected to fake executions

Published: 13 Sep 12 08:13 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/43194/20120913/

The two Swedish reporters Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson, jailed in Ethiopia on terror charges, were subjected to fake executions by Ethiopian guards to get them to admit their guilt, according to a report by national broadcaster Sveriges Television (SVT).

“They wouldn’t answer the questions. And then it was...’but if you don’t say anything we’ll shoot your friend.’ I know Johan passed out once when they pretended to execute Martin,” said Kjell Persson, father of Johan Persson to SVT.

On the SVT investigative news programme Uppdrag Granskning set to air on Thursday, the pair’s families speak out about what happened to the two Swedes while imprisoned in the infamous Kality-prison outside of Addis Ababa.

Linnea Schibbye Steiner, wife of Martin Schibbye, told SVT that her husband and his friend were made to stand with their backs to a man with a rifle and were asked the same questions over and over to make them confess:

“And when they didn’t, they tried to play them off against each other. They were told that ‘if you don’t confess we’ll shoot Johan’ or ‘we’ll shoot Martin’. And then they fired into the bush next to them.”

Sources have revealed to Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter that the account is corroborated by footage smuggled out by an Ethiopian defector who has since fled the east African country.

Uppdrag Granskning’s report also shows that the two Swedes had sustained more serious injuries during their arrest than what was previously reported.

Ambassador Jens Odlander, first to meet the two Swedes after they were captured by the Ethiopians, said they were very shaken when he first got to see them.

“They were awfully close to dying,” he told the paper.

Schibbye and Persson were arrested last year with rebels from the Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) after illegally entering Ethiopia from Somalia.

The Swedes were in the remote southeastern region of Ogaden, populated mainly by ethnic Somalis, reportedly to investigate the activities of a company affiliated with the Swedish oil firm Lundin Petroleum.

The Local/rm (news@thelocal.se)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

07:49 September 13, 2012 by prince T
They should be grateful for being aalive. They should not have meddled in other ppl affair. Not to think of the silent diplomacy government dat will not come to ur aid. The guys deserved what they got in ethopia
07:59 September 13, 2012 by RobinHood
@Prince

Do you think illegal immigrants caught in Sweden should be encouraged to confess their crimes in the same way?
08:32 September 13, 2012 by byke
Now, why did I expect this type of reporting was going to happen after they were released. Swedish politics may be vying for a place on the world stage, but at the cost of moral delinquency which will be emulated by the people, thus creating a double standard society that is left justifying its actions, no matter how ethically wrong they may be.

Competitive, maybe.

honorable or likable?, hardly.

All we need now is laws introduced like "The right to return" and some sort of ideology that exonerates any wrong doing as long as long as they can prove to be a real swede.

I wonder how Gustaf V would have perceived this modern Sweden.
08:49 September 13, 2012 by themoron
themoron says:

#3

I wrote more or less the same in another thread. But wait. There are still many more things to come: a film about their odyssey, a book, interviews with relatives, articles on corrupted countries like Ethiopia, a play at the biggest and only theater in Stockholm. Evertything one can think about, except that they went to Ethiopia without a pass, jointed the guerrilas, caught by the government and judged and convicted for terrorism. They were released, not thanks to the "silent diplomacy" shouted by Sweden's government, but thanks to the millions of crowns given to the country during the time the "journalists" were in a 1 x 1 meter cell.

Yes, but of course!
09:32 September 13, 2012 by truthworthy
Well, what did you expect from a dictatorship that does not respect the rule of law, human rights and press freedom.

Sweden should immediately cease Aid to Ethiopian dictatorship.
12:27 September 13, 2012 by Cephalectomy
#2 swedes have the possibility to apply for a visit to any country and most of the times get an allowance, immigrants cannot just apply to come to sweden and be welcome. that is the difference
12:48 September 13, 2012 by G Kin
@truthworthy.

Have the guys served all of the 11 full years of hard labour they were facing? :)

Why should Sweden cease aid?. And remember Africa Oil drilling oil in Ethiopia is largely owned by the Swedish family Lundin!.

SWEDEN IS NO SAINT, OK?
13:00 September 13, 2012 by skogsbo
to me they got what they deserved, if you illegally cross a border into a country known for it's corruption, what did they think was going to happen if they got caught. They tried to play against the rules and got caught, but want to abide by the rules when it comes to getting them free! Perhaps they should confess now to what they were really up to?
13:14 September 13, 2012 by 3319abraham
The two journalists are referred to as "freelance" journalists meaning they are unemployed and probably unemployable. Now somehow they have managed to be "heroes" and are not only on the front page of some respectable Swedish newspapers and media. They will soon write best sellers as experts on Ethiopian prison system, writing bestselling books.

Usually, bona fide journalists follow rebels because they support the group's cause. If indeed their purpose was to investigate Swedish oil interests in Ogaden as they claim, they could have easily acquired visas, landed in the capital, rented a land cruiser and visited discreetly any part of the country.

With mind boggling arrogance they underestimated Ethiopia's resolve to ascertain its sovereignty over its territory, (a country that has never been colonized and that in the battle of Adwa, defeated a colonial European power - Italy), their action could have easily led to their tragic end. Hopefully, during their 14 months stay as guests of the Ethiopian prison system, they have learned a few lessons.

Reply to one rude and ill informed comment - "This affair is going to cost Swedish tax payers a great deal of "international aid", how much of that "aid" finds its way into the Swiss bank accounts of senior Ethiopian politicians ..."

My reply is - Ask your Ambassador in Addis Ababa, about Ethio-Swedish relations. SIDA's aid today is insignificant when compared to that of US, UK or China, instead of talking about beer and Jansson's Temptation and blueberry muffins. In the last thirty years, Swedish aid has been significantly scaled down. The little aid that trickles down is not charity and but only investment in buying goodwill and promoting Swedish exports.Sweden imports insignificant amount of coffee while Ethiopia imports Volvo and Scania Trucks, telecom equipment, machinery, spare parts, pharmaceutical products etc.. If Ethiopia was to express a little interest in importing five JAS 39 Gripens and some Swedish arsenal, SIDA's aid would be tripled overnight. Aid is given to assist foreign countries that need aid and it is meant to achieve specific long term interests and pre-defined objectives of the donor country. In any case, it is never donated as ransom to rescue foolish adventurers.

Technology can be acquired but rudeness is comes at birth. Ethiopia is one of the few countries that utilize external aid efficiently and where aid reaches intended recipients. There is corruption in Ethiopia as well as in Sweden. Ethiopia is not notorious in this respect.

Many have tried to defend the two journalists by saying they were simply doing their duty and committed no crime. Do journalists have unrestricted immunity? Are journalists allowed to disregard the laws of the land and foment rebellion without suffering the consequences? If this had happened elsewhere they would be languishing for decades incommunicado in Guantanamo-like prisons.
15:49 September 13, 2012 by BlackLion
Kudos for 3319abraham - that is the point.

Even without the video which is not necessary really, the essence of the story persists.

1) they crossed borders illegally with out visa

2) they were there to promote separatist rebels.

That is the reason why they went to jail. They will still go to jail even if Ethiopia has vibrant free media and a fully democratic government. It is good to give them pardon and let them go!

I thought this was very clear!!! They broke the law - can any one deny that? Or do you guys have the opinion that you can jump in jump out of an African country illegally and support tribal wars? I do not get it! And I wouldn't be surprised if there is abuse (if any) by soldiers when you jump into a war supporting one faction. It is a WAR - do you get it?

The reality is for them it is adventurism in Africa - for us, they are promoting secessionists that could cost us our country or get us into endless wars. It has happened before - we won't let it happen again!
17:36 September 13, 2012 by Munir Ahmed
Resume of Somali-Ogaden terrorists the leftist Swedish reporters championed as freedom fighters against Ethiopia:

BBC NEWS: 74 Chinese & Ethiopian oil workers machine-gunned asleep in bed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6588055.stm

REUTERS NEWS: UN workers ambushed, killed, kidnapped

http://af.reuters.com/article/ethiopiaNews/idAFLDE74D0CU20110514
20:02 September 13, 2012 by prince T
@robinhood. I am not supporting the method used. The point is that they embeded with those ethopiá regarded as terrorists. If these guys were caught doing video for alqueada, they will spend nothing less than 4 years in detention without trial. I mean they were caught in UK OR US. Manning is an example for u. If they succeded they would have become millionaires and they wont remember me. Dat is y i dont pity them and be grateful dey did not die
09:31 September 14, 2012 by themoron
themoron says:

Besides, they should be happy, if their "story" is true, that they were not raped while being in jail.

They should be grateful that they did not enjoy the specialties developed by the US in Guantanamo, like:
10:43 September 14, 2012 by robban70226
Hej,

100% agree with skogsbo

to me they got what they deserved!!!
18:14 September 14, 2012 by themoron
the moron says:

They should be very happy that they did not enjoy some of the specialties developed by the US in Guantanamo, such as:

waterboarding

beatings

stress positions

sexual abuse

torture by music

sleep deorïvation

temperature extremes

forcible beard shaving

Threas of rendition and threats against prisoner's families

They should close their mouths and thank God thay they are still alive and can see the sun one more day.

Am I wrong?
19:54 September 15, 2012 by DAVID T
Poor little girls - If you can't do the time don't do the crime
00:53 September 16, 2012 by Swissbank
@robwood,

Easy for u to say.. I show up in Sweden carrying my AK-47 Gun and no visa the immgaration officer did not like it... Only when I find out I am journalist they late me in, with big Sweden smile and hospitality
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines
Unrest in Stockholm
Stockholm riots: a view from the street in Husby

Stockholm riots: a view from the street in Husby

Following three nights of violence that left cars smouldering in several Stockholm suburbs, The Local travelled to the northwest district of Husby where the disturbances began to see how the riots have affected local residents. READ () »

Bergman auction canned after suspected theft

Bergman auction canned after suspected theft

An auction of memorabilia belonging to Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Berman has been scrapped by authorities after claims the items were stolen from the family. READ () »

Stockholm man lay dead in flat for two years

Workmen in southern Stockholm found the body of man who may have lain dead in his flat for over two years, with the police blaming the belated discovery on society's broken social networks. READ () »

Fashion prize turns Rookies into players

Fashion prize turns Rookies into players

Swedish designers who fight for brand-name recognition in the notoriously hard-to-crack fashion business tell The Local's Victoria Hussey about the importance of the Swedish Rookies Award. READ () »

Four jailed for drugging internet date victims

Four jailed for drugging internet date victims

Four thieves who used internet dating sites to find victims who they then robbed after drugging them with a concoction of sedatives and psychosis drugs were sentenced to prison on Wednesday by a Swedish court. READ () »

Doc went on holiday as Swede's cancer spread

Doc went on holiday as Swede's cancer spread

A Swedish man has been left facing death after his doctor went on holiday, leaving a cancer diagnosis stranded in the computer system while the increasingly desperate patient fought for help elsewhere. READ () »

Unrest in Stockholm
Thirty fires in third night of Stockholm riots

Thirty fires in third night of Stockholm riots

Police arrested eight people on Tuesday night as thirty cars were torched across southern and western Stockholm, in what was the third consecutive night of unrest in the Swedish capital. READ () »

Swedish 'serial killer' cleared of two murders

Swedish 'serial killer' cleared of two murders

A man long referred to as Sweden's most notorious serial killer after being convicted of eight murders has been cleared of two more of the killings, prosecutors announced on Tuesday. READ () »

More Society

 

RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER AND ALERTS
 

 

Highlights
La Neta
OPINION »
My Swedish Career: We talk to the founder of Stockholm's favourite Mexican restaurant chain - La Neta
Leif R Jansson/Scanpix
NATIONAL »
Riot police 'resorted to racial slurs' in Husby
Scanpix
SPORT »
Sweden win ice hockey world champs at home
Scanpix
SPORT »
Swedes sweep top French football awards
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: Check out this funky three-room apartment on the Stockholm island of Södermalm
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Sweden win Ice Hockey World Championships. See the celebrations in Stockholm
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Youths burn 100 cars in north Stockholm riots
Finest.se scanpix.se
GALLERY »
People-watching: Nightlife, Ice Hockey Gold celebrations, the royal family... You name it, this week's gallery has it
WikiCommons
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Solna voted best place to live in Sweden
Scanpix
TRAVEL »
Quiz - Think You Know Sweden? This week we head to one of Sweden's ten biggest towns. But which one?
Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Eurovision host: 'Not everyone has to like me'
Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Denmark wins Eurovision 2013 in Malmö
Paul Hansen/World Press Photo
SOCIETY »
Award-winning Swedish photographer cleared of manipulation
DoToday
LIFESTYLE »
What's On:The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö
Scanpix
NATIONAL »
A Congolese-Swedish pastor explains the roots to recent cases of parents exorcising demons from their children in Sweden
File photo: AP
NATIONAL »
H&M backs Bangladesh building safety accord
Scanpix
GALLERY »
Eurovision: second semi-final entries
Finest.se
GALLERY »
People-watching: Scenes from the Arctic Council meeting, Eurovision demonstrations, and Stockholm nightlife
Screenshot: American Apparel
SOCIETY »
Swedes slam American Apparel over 'sexist' ads
Hasse Holmberg/Scanpix (File)
BUSINESS & MONEY »
Housing crunch forces more young Swedes to live with mum and dad
Janerik Henriksson/Scanpix
LIFESTYLE »
Eurovision - Centre State: 'It won't be easy to win again': Robin Stjernberg
Asif Akbar/sxc.hu (File)
OPINION »
'Not all discrimination in Sweden is racism'
Lana Wimmer
GALLERY »
Hidden Stockholm Gems: Ulriksdal's Palace
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
SOCIETY »
Sex in Sweden: condoms optional - study
AP (File)
POLITICS »
Russia 'lacks capacity' to attack Sweden: Reinfeldt
fastighetsbyrån.se
GALLERY »
Property of the Week: This week, we're looking inside a home from the 1700s just west of Stockholm. Complete with two cannons.
Scanpix (File)
OPINION »
JobTalk: Top ten tips for earning a higher salary in Sweden
Juanma Perez Rabasco
SOCIETY »
Swedish kids start daycare earlier: report
Facebook
SOCIETY »
'Sex scandal' minister bathes in viral toilet puppy love
Scanpix
NATIONAL »
Illegal apartment rentals thrive in Stockholm flat crunch
Ben Grey/Flickr
SCIENCE & TECH »
Sweden 'second best' place to become a mum
Eddie Gee
LIFESTYLE »
Check out the back catalogue of all The Local's Swedes of the Week
Photo: The Local
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Stockholm International School - what’s in IT for students?
Dixie Thomas Hughes
SPONSORED ARTICLE
US expat David V. Hughes on determination and discovery by design

 

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »


Blog Update: Stripes News

21 May 21:34

WEEK 21 »

"A week full to the brim with LFC football…. Div 5 LFC match against Nåjdens FK has been moved. This is due to the Svenska Cupen final: 26 May, 17.00 kick off, Nationalarenan Friends Arena, Solna. Next match is on Tuesday (see below). ………………………………………………………… Friday: Div5 Ladies: Rotebro IS FF – Långholmen FC (Skinnaråsens IP) KO: 16.15 ………………………………………………………… Saturday: Vets: Långholmen FC – IFK..." READ »

The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Trade binary options
Create an account with Banc De Binary, the world’s most reputable binary options firm, and start cashing in today! You can start by practicing with our free $50,000 demo account.
www.bbinary.com
Therapy in English
Expat counsellor & talk therapist offers counselling for stress, relationship issues, sexuality, culture adjustment & life coaching. Private & confidential. Stockholm or Skype. Contact me today! 08-559 22 636 or
CLICK HERE
Holiday Luxury Villa in Portugal
Casa Birgitta in Algarve, Portugal. Reduced price in best location. Private estate on white sand beach. All amenities included. Book here today! edward_george1@hotmail.com