{"id":71116,"date":"2016-06-01T17:18:31","date_gmt":"2016-06-01T17:18:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=838be20c1c2a2a9a54f0c31e4375072e"},"modified":"2016-06-01T17:18:31","modified_gmt":"2016-06-01T17:18:31","slug":"press-release-foreign-secretary-secures-legal-representation-for-briton-detained-in-ethiopia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=71116","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Foreign Secretary secures legal representation for Briton detained in Ethiopia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Philip Hammond pressed for progress when he met both the Ethiopian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister.<\/p>\n

The Foreign Secretary secured assurances from the Ethiopian Government that Mr. Tsege will be granted access to a lawyer.<\/p>\n

During his visit, the Foreign Secretary despatched a senior Foreign Office Director to meet Mr. Tsege in prison, on his behalf, on Wednesday to seek further assurances about his welfare.<\/p>\n

This is the tenth visit by British Embassy staff and follows a visit by the British Ambassador in May.<\/p>\n

Speaking from Ethiopia after his meetings on Wednesday, Philip Hammond said:<\/p>\n

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I raised the case of Andargachew Tsege in my meeting with the Prime Minister, making it clear that while progress has been made, with regular consular access now in place and a transfer to a federal prison, further steps are required. I have now received a commitment from the Prime Minister that Mr Tsege will be allowed access to independent legal advice to allow him to discuss options under the Ethiopian legal system.<\/p>\n

Britain does not interfere in the legal systems of other countries, any more than we would accept interference in our judicial system. Our consular role is to ensure well-being and access to legal advice.<\/p>\n

At my request, a senior Foreign Office official travelling with me, was given access to Mr Tsege in prison today. Following that visit, I am satisfied that he is not being ill-treated and that he is receiving regular visits from family members in Ethiopia.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The Foreign Secretary has repeatedly raised Mr Tsege\u2019s case and Prime Minister David Cameron has also written to the Ethiopian Prime Minister on two separate occasions.<\/p>\n

Following the British Government\u2019s intervention, access to Mr. Tsege has improved and he was transferred to a regular prison.<\/p>\n

The Foreign Secretary has met Mr. Tsege\u2019s partner and the British Government will continue to support Mr. Tsege and his family.<\/p>\n

Further information<\/h3>\n