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Ethiopia judge frees 26 activists Ethiopia genocide charges dropped
(10 minutes later)
An Ethiopian judge has acquitted 26 people accused of treason and attempted genocide following 2005 elections. Ethiopian prosecutors have dropped controversial charges of attempted genocide and treason against 111 people arrested after election protests.
More than 100 opposition activists, journalists and civil society workers were accused of being involved in riots over alleged vote-rigging. Twenty-five accused, mostly journalists and publishers, have also been acquitted of all charges.
They said the trial was political and refused to co-operate. It was also condemned by human rights groups. However several key opposition leaders remain in custody, accused of trying to violently overthrow the government.
Almost 200 people died in two waves of protests over the elections won by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's party. Amnesty International says the charges of genocide were "absurd" and that the accused are "prisoners of conscience".
The accused have always said the trial was political and all but two have refused to co-operate.
Almost 200 people died in two waves of protests over alleged vote-rigging - denied by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
The genocide charges related to accusations that members of Mr Meles' Tigray community were targeted during the protests.
The opposition blames the deaths on the security forces.
The violence and the charges of election fraud have tarnished Mr Meles' image as a favourite of western donors and one of a new wave of reforming African leaders.The violence and the charges of election fraud have tarnished Mr Meles' image as a favourite of western donors and one of a new wave of reforming African leaders.
Human rights group Amnesty International has said the charges of genocide were "absurd". Death penalty
They relate to accusations that members of Mr Meles' Tigray community were targeted during the protests. "The prosecution has not proved the charges levelled against the 25 journalists," presiding Judge Adil Ahmed told the court before ordering prison authorities to free them immediately.
Several thousand people were arrested, although most have since been released. The opposition blames the violence on the security forcesOne man from the Ethiopian Teachers Association was acquitted last week.
Mr Meles has denied the charges of election fraud and blames the opposition for starting the violent protests. The other 85 still face four charges, including attempting to overthrow the government through an armed struggle and crimes against the constitution, which could carry life in prison or the death penalty.
The judges ordered them to prepare a defence case and adjourned the trial until the end of the month.
Several thousand people were arrested after the protests, although most have since been released.
Mr Meles blames the opposition for starting the violent protests.
His government also points out that it introduced multi-party elections to Ethiopia after years of military rule.His government also points out that it introduced multi-party elections to Ethiopia after years of military rule.
In the elections, the opposition made huge gains but say they were cheated out of victory.In the elections, the opposition made huge gains but say they were cheated out of victory.