This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6068854.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
EU pair face Ethiopia expulsion EU anger over Ethiopia expulsions
(about 1 hour later)
Two EU officials have been given 24 hours to leave Ethiopia after being caught allegedly attempting to smuggle two fugitives to Kenya. The European Union has condemned the expulsion of two EU diplomats from Ethiopia as "totally unacceptable".
The wanted pair, who have since been arrested, were Ethiopians who worked for the European Commission. The two were given 24 hours to leave Ethiopia after being caught allegedly trying to take two fugitives to Kenya.
The interior ministry says they were wanted for "serious crimes" but did not give further details. The wanted pair were Ethiopians who worked for the European Commission. Ethiopia said they were arrested over "serious crimes" without specifying.
The expulsions come at a time of strong international criticism of Ethiopia over last year's disputed elections.The expulsions come at a time of strong international criticism of Ethiopia over last year's disputed elections.
The EU halted budgetary aid to Ethiopia in the wake of the poll and the wave of violence that followed. The EU halted budgetary aid to Ethiopia in the wake of the poll and the wave of violence that followed it.
Any international organisation operating in Ethiopia needs to respect the laws of the host country and face punishment if it violates the law Interior ministryAny international organisation operating in Ethiopia needs to respect the laws of the host country and face punishment if it violates the law Interior ministry
Until the election violence, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had been seen as part of a "new generation" of African leaders.Until the election violence, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi had been seen as part of a "new generation" of African leaders.
The chief observer for the EU during the elections, Ana Gomes, on Thursday said a leaked report into an alleged "massacre" confirmed that the government did not respect human rights.The chief observer for the EU during the elections, Ana Gomes, on Thursday said a leaked report into an alleged "massacre" confirmed that the government did not respect human rights.
She also condemned the detention of the two diplomats, saying it shows that Mr Meles' government is determined to repress democratic activity. 'Repercussions'
'Punishment' Development Commissioner Louis Michel said he had called Ethiopia's envoy in Brussels for an explanation.
A statement from Ethiopia's interior ministry said the officials' attempt "violates the sovereignty of the country while jeopardising the security of the nation". Mr Michel did not name the diplomats but said they were Italian and Swedish nationals working for the European Commission's delegation in the capital, Addis Ababa.
"There will be repercussions," he said.
He also said he had been trying since Thursday to contact Mr Meles about the incident, without success.
"Usually I can make contact quite easily with Prime Minister Meles," he said.
The arrests were made after a car with diplomatic number plates was stopped near the southern border town of Moyale, Ethiopian officials say.
A statement from Ethiopia's interior ministry said the attempt "violates the sovereignty of the country while jeopardising the security of the nation".
"Any international organisation operating in Ethiopia needs to respect the laws of the host country and face punishment if it violates the law," the statement added."Any international organisation operating in Ethiopia needs to respect the laws of the host country and face punishment if it violates the law," the statement added.
Neither the diplomats, nor the fugitives have been named. Lawyer arrested
The car with diplomatic number plates was stopped near the southern border town of Moyale. Human rights group Amnesty International says one of those arrested was EC lawyer Yalemzewd Bekele.
Meanwhile, EC lawyer Yalemzewd Bekele was arrested trying to cross the border into Kenya on Thursday morning, according to human rights group Amnesty International. Amnesty says it is concerned that she is at a high risk of being tortured.
Amnesty says they are concerned that she is at a high risk of being tortured. The lawyer was accompanied by another person, Amnesty says, but it has no details about the other person's identity or whereabouts.
The lawyer was accompanied by someone else, Amnesty says but they have no details about the other person's identity or whereabouts. The human rights group says it believes Yalemzewd Bekele was arrested in connection with the publication and distribution of a calendar of action for non-violent civil disobedience by the opposition party Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD).
The human rights group says that they believe Yalemzewd Bekele was arrested in connection with the publication and distribution of a calendar of action for non-violent civil disobedience by the opposition party Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD). CUD was in the forefront of protests over last May's elections, saying it was cheated of victory.
CUD was in the forefront of protests over last May's elections, saying they were cheated of victory.
Several CUD leaders are on trial on a number of charges, including one of trying to overthrow the government.Several CUD leaders are on trial on a number of charges, including one of trying to overthrow the government.
The leaked report said that 193 people were killed following protests over the elections.
Most of these were killed by police, said the report's author, judge Wolde-Michael Meshesha, who has now fled the country saying he fears for his life.