LOC09:02
06:02 GMT
WASHINGTON, Oct 31 (KUNA) -- The US on Thursday said it is "deeply concerned" by the prison sentence for Ethiopian journalist Temesgen Desalegn, which was handed down Monday for a period of three years for "provocation and dissemination of inaccurate information."
Desalegn was the editor of the weekly independent newspaper Feteh, which has been shut down.
State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki affirmed in a statement that "freedom of expression and freedom of the press are fundamental elements of a democratic society, and the promotion and protection of these rights and freedoms are basic responsibilities of democratic governments."
She added that President Barack Obama "stated during his meeting in September with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam [Desalegn], it is important that Ethiopia's progress and positive example on economic development and regional conflict resolution extends to civil society as well."
Though the two share a surname, the journalist and the Prime Minister are not related.
"We urge Ethiopia to make similar progress with regard to respect for press freedom and the free flow of ideas and reiterate our call for the Ethiopian government to release journalists imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of expression," Psaki concluded. (end)
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