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Journalists face more time in jail

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, Aug. 18 (UPI) -- A pair of Swedish journalists could spend 28 days more in an Ethiopian lockup as officials investigate an incident that left them injured, officials said.

Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson were hurt and arrested July 1 following a skirmish between Ethiopian government troops and the guerrilla organization Ogaden National Liberation Force, The Local reported.

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The two have been held in an Ethiopian lockup since early July. Sweden has refrained from openly criticizing Ethiopia, but several journalist organizations have filed complaints about the pair's detention.

The U.S. organizations Committee to Protect Journalists and Reporters Without borders have called for the pair's release as have the Swedish Union of Journalists and the Swedish Union of Photographers.

"Under the circumstances they are in good spirits," said Jens Odlander, Swedish ambassador to Ethiopia, who has been visiting the pair once a week.

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