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EU anger over Ethiopia expulsions EU anger over Ethiopia expulsions
(about 3 hours later)
The European Union has condemned the expulsion of two EU diplomats from Ethiopia as "totally unacceptable".The European Union has condemned the expulsion of two EU diplomats from Ethiopia as "totally unacceptable".
The two were given 24 hours to leave Ethiopia after being caught allegedly trying to take two fugitives to Kenya. The two were deported after being caught allegedly trying to smuggle two fugitives into Kenya.
The wanted pair were Ethiopians who worked for the European Commission. Ethiopia said they were arrested over "serious crimes" without specifying. These include an Ethiopian lawyer 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 it.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.
'Torture risk'
An EC official, who did not wish to be named, told the BBC he was very concerned about lawyer Yalemzewd Bekele, following her arrest.
Human rights group Amnesty International says she is at a high risk of being tortured.
The identity of the person arrested with the lawyer has not been revealed but they did not work for the EC, the official said.
Swedish diplomat Boris Jonsson and Italian EU official Enrico Sborgi were deported on Thursday night.
The arrests were made after a car with diplomatic number plates was stopped near the southern border town of Moyale, Ethiopian officials say.
Amnesty says it believes Ms Yalemzewd 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.
Several CUD leaders are on trial on a number of charges, including one of trying to overthrow the government.
Almost 200 people were killed when the police put down the protests, a leaked report said this week.
'Repercussions''Repercussions'
Development Commissioner Louis Michel said he had called Ethiopia's envoy in Brussels for an explanation.Development Commissioner Louis Michel said he had called Ethiopia's envoy in Brussels for an explanation.
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."There will be repercussions," he said.
He also said he had been trying since Thursday to contact Mr Meles about the incident, without success.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."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 to take the Ethiopians out of the country "violates the sovereignty of the country while jeopardising the security of the nation".
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.
Lawyer arrested
Human rights group Amnesty International says one of those arrested was EC lawyer Yalemzewd Bekele.
Amnesty says it is 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 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).
CUD was in the forefront of protests over last May's elections, saying it was cheated of victory.
Several CUD leaders are on trial on a number of charges, including one of trying to overthrow the government.