Stockholm - Two Swedish journalists, sentenced to 11 years in prison in Ethiopia on charges of supporting terrorism and illegally entering the country, said Tuesday they would not appeal their sentence but would opt to seek clemency.

Photojournalist Johan Persson and journalist Martin Schibbye were arrested in July and found guilty in December.

In a brief statement the two said there was 'a tradition of clemency and forgiveness in Ethiopia, and we have opted to rely on this tradition.' It did not mention when the appeal would be made.

They faced two choices: Appeal and face a stiffer sentence or seek clemency. Tuesday was the last day they could file an appeal.

Their sentence was criticized by media watchdogs and pressure groups including Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders and the Swedish Union of Journalists.

Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt has called for their immediate release, saying the journalists had been on assignment.

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

Source:Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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