A court in Ethiopia has found 38 senior opposition figures guilty of charges connected to mass protests after disputed elections two years ago.
A court in Ethiopia has found 38 senior opposition figures guilty of charges connected to mass protests after disputed elections two years ago.
The charges ranged from armed rebellion to "outrage against the constitution".
The charges ranged from armed rebellion to "outrage against the constitution".
Sentencing is next month and they could face the death penalty, says the BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in Ethiopia.
Sentencing is next month and they could face the death penalty, says the BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in Ethiopia.
Hundreds of thousands took part in demonstrations complaining of fraud and vote-rigging by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's government in the 2005 polls.
Hundreds of thousands took part in demonstrations complaining of fraud and vote-rigging by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's government in the 2005 polls.
The opposition leaders refuse to recognise the court and failed to present evidence in their defence.
The opposition leaders refuse to recognise the court and did not present evidence in their defence.
The judge said that because they had failed to defend themselves he had no option but to find them guilty.
The judge said that because they had failed to defend themselves he had no option but to find them guilty.
One leader of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy in London, found guilty in absentia, told the BBC it was "very sudden and tragic news".
One leader of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy in London, found guilty in absentia, told the BBC it was "very sudden and tragic news".
Heavy criticism
Heavy criticism
Almost 200 people died in two waves of protests.
Almost 200 people died in two waves of protests.
The CUD blamed the deaths on the security forces but Mr Meles accused the opposition of starting the violent protests.
The CUD blamed the deaths on the security forces but Mr Meles accused the opposition of 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 says it was cheated out of victory.
In the elections, the opposition made huge gains but says it was cheated out of victory.
An independent inquiry carried out by an Ethiopian judge concluded that the police had used excessive force.
An independent inquiry carried out by an Ethiopian judge concluded that the police had used excessive force.
He went on to accuse them of carrying out a massacre. The judge later fled Ethiopia, saying he had been put under pressure to change his findings and had received death threats.
He went on to accuse them of carrying out a massacre. The judge later fled Ethiopia, saying he had been put under pressure to change his findings and had received death threats.
Two months ago, a judge threw out controversial charges of attempted genocide and treason against 111 people arrested after the election protests.
Two months ago, a judge threw out controversial charges of attempted genocide and treason against 111 people arrested after the election protests.
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.
Are you in Ethiopia? Did you take part in the mass protests? What do you think about the convictions? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
Are you in Ethiopia? Did you take part in the mass protests? What do you think about the convictions? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
