Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said on Wednesday that Ethiopia would consider granting clemency to journalists and politicians convicted of terrorist crimes. He also dismissed complaints that the government was using the anti-terrorism law to crackdown on its opposition, writes the news agency Reuters.
Swedish journalists Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson are among those hoping to be pardoned.
Meles Zenawi made the statements to parliament on Wednesday. He said that providing culprits admit guilt, Ethiopia would consider granting clemency.
During his statement he specifically talked about Martin Schibbye and Johan Persson who were sentenced to 11 years in prison in December last year. According to Reuters, he said that the two men had broken Ethiopia's laws and that "no journalist can escape charges if rules are broken".
In December Schibbye and Persson were jailed for supporting terrorism and entering the country illegally. During the trial the pair said they were in the Ogaden region in eastern Ethiopia on journalistic duties. They wanted to report on the activities of a Swedish oil company.
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