June 29, 2012, Times LIVE)--Two Swedish journalists who have been sentenced to 11 years in prison in Ethiopia have issued a statement from prison. "It has been the longest year in our lives," photojournalist Johan Persson and journalist Martin Schibbye said. They were arrested July 1, 2011 and found guilty in December on charges of supporting terrorism and illegally entering Ethiopia.
"Initially we only focused on eating, keeping warm on the cement
floor and not falling ill. Today the challenge is psychological. Prison
kills your intellect," the two said. Their statement was conveyed via Swedish diplomats who met them
Thursday at the Kality Prison in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
The two reporters said in January they would not appeal their sentence, but rather apply for clemency.
Persson's father, Kjell Persson, told Swedish Radio the families "did not dare predict" when the duo would be released.
The Swedish government, as well as media watchdogs and pressure groups including Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders and the Swedish Union of Journalists have criticized the journalists' sentence.
The pair entered the eastern Ethiopian province of Ogaden, where they said they planned to investigate alleged human rights violations in the restive region, which is closed to reporters.
During the trial, the two admitted to entering the country illegally from Somalia, but denied the terrorism charges. They were travelling with members of the separatist Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) - as so-called embedded reporters - when they were arrested.Author: Lennart Simonsson.
Source: Times LIVE
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The two reporters said in January they would not appeal their sentence, but rather apply for clemency.
Persson's father, Kjell Persson, told Swedish Radio the families "did not dare predict" when the duo would be released.
The Swedish government, as well as media watchdogs and pressure groups including Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders and the Swedish Union of Journalists have criticized the journalists' sentence.
The pair entered the eastern Ethiopian province of Ogaden, where they said they planned to investigate alleged human rights violations in the restive region, which is closed to reporters.
During the trial, the two admitted to entering the country illegally from Somalia, but denied the terrorism charges. They were travelling with members of the separatist Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) - as so-called embedded reporters - when they were arrested.Author: Lennart Simonsson.
Source: Times LIVE
Related post:
Ethiopia jails Swedish journalists on terror charges
Jailed Swedish journalists in Ethiopia will not appeal verdict
Swedes convicted over Ethiopian rebel links
Ethiopia to continue trial against Swedish journalists on terror charges
Swedish journalists apologize
Ethiopia: Swedish journalists are 'messenger boys of a terrorist organization'
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