Ethiopia: Dissident Journalist Sentenced

A journalist and blogger praised by international human rights groups for championing press freedom was sentenced to 18 years in prison on Friday after his conviction last month on terrorism charges. The journalist, Eskinder Nega, and more than a dozen others — most of whom had fled the country — were convicted of attempting to foment a revolution in Ethiopia, human rights advocates said. Two opposition figures received life sentences. Mr. Nega’s case stemmed from writings challenging the prosecution of fellow reporters and editors. Senator Patrick J. Leahy, a Vermont Democrat, strongly condemned Mr. Nega’s conviction in June, saying the Ethiopian government “misuses its institutions to silence its critics.” PEN International, which honored Mr. Nega with a press freedom award this spring, said Friday that it was “appalled” by the sentencing and called for his immediate release.