Last week’s guilty verdicts had provoked anger in Swedish media and accusations the case had 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.
“The court has sentenced both defendants to 11 years. We have heard both cases … and we believe this is an appropriate sentence,” Judge Shemsu Sirgaga told the court.
Shemsu 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.
“It wasn’t an entirely unexpected sentence. It is regrettable in light of their journalistic asssignment,” Swedish Foreign Ministry spokesman Anders Jorle said. “The Swedish government’s view is known, among other things through the prime minister’s statement last week.”
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt said last week Sweden was seriously concerned about the judgment and the journalists should be freed as soon as possible.
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.