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/6090970.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ethiopia releases detained lawyer Ethiopia releases detained lawyer
(about 6 hours later)
A European Commission lawyer who was arrested in Ethiopia last week while trying to cross the border into Kenya has been freed without charge. A European Commission lawyer has told the BBC she has been charged with trying to leave Ethiopia illegally and attempting to incite violence.
Yalemzewd Bekele, a human rights activist, spent a week in custody. Human rights activist Yalemzewd Bekele was released on bail after spending a week in custody after being caught trying to cross the border into Kenya.
Two European diplomats were expelled over the incident - accused of helping to smuggle her out of the country.Two European diplomats were expelled over the incident - accused of helping to smuggle her out of the country.
Ms Yalemzewd was said to be in good spirits following her release. Amnesty International had previously raised fears that she would be tortured. Ms Yalemzewd was said to be in good spirits following her release.
Amnesty International had previously raised fears that she would be tortured.
Ms Yalemzewd was arrested last Thursday. At the time, the ministry of immigration said she was wanted for what they described as serious crimes.Ms Yalemzewd was arrested last Thursday. At the time, the ministry of immigration said she was wanted for what they described as serious crimes.
The two international staff expelled by the Ethiopian government over the incident, Bjorn Jonsson from Sweden and Enrico Sborgi from Italy - were deported without even having time to collect their passports.The two international staff expelled by the Ethiopian government over the incident, Bjorn Jonsson from Sweden and Enrico Sborgi from Italy - were deported without even having time to collect their passports.
The whereabouts of an Ethiopian man arrested in connection with the incident are not known.The whereabouts of an Ethiopian man arrested in connection with the incident are not known.
Torture fearsTorture fears
Relations between the Ethiopian government and the European Union have been under pressure since the 2005 election.Relations between the Ethiopian government and the European Union have been under pressure since the 2005 election.
The European Union's development commissioner Luis Michel warned there would be repercussions. The EU's development commissioner Luis Michel warned there would be repercussions.
Head of the EC delegation in Ethiopia Tim Clarke said he had seen Ms Bekele after her release. Head of the EC delegation in Ethiopia Tim Clarke said he had seen Ms Bekele after her release and said they were delighted that she had been freed.
"I spent about two hours with her. So far she has not been charged with anything," he said.
Mr Clarke said she seemed fine and that they were delighted that she had been freed.
They said they believed Ms Bekele had been arrested in connection with the publication and distribution of a calendar of action for non-violent civil disobedience by the opposition party the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD).They said they believed Ms Bekele had been arrested in connection with the publication and distribution of a calendar of action for non-violent civil disobedience by the opposition party the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD).
Following last year's disputed election, key members of the CUD are currently being tried on a number of charges including one of trying to overthrow the government through an armed rebellion.Following last year's disputed election, key members of the CUD are currently being tried on a number of charges including one of trying to overthrow the government through an armed rebellion.