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Life in jail for Ethiopia leaders Life in jail for Ethiopia leaders
(20 minutes later)
An Ethiopian court has handed down life sentences to most of the 38 opposition leaders convicted of links to violent election protests in a major trial. An Ethiopian court has handed down life sentences to all of the main opposition leaders convicted of links to violent election protests in a major trial.
The prominent leaders were sentenced to life, with eight others given shorter prison terms. The prosecution had demanded the death penalty. Eight of the 38 opposition figures in court were given shorter prison terms. The prosecution had demanded the death penalty for them all.
They refused to recognise the court, saying the trial was political.They refused to recognise the court, saying the trial was political.
A BBC correspondent says they are unlikely to serve their sentences, as a political process is under way.A BBC correspondent says they are unlikely to serve their sentences, as a political process is under way.
High court judge Adil Ahmed also barred the 30 Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) leaders from voting or standing for election.High court judge Adil Ahmed also barred the 30 Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) leaders from voting or standing for election.
The US had called for the sentences to promote reconciliation between the government and the opposition. Before the sentences, the US had warned that any judgement should promote reconciliation between the government and the opposition.
The BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in Addis Ababa says the trial has been closely watched in the city, a CUD stronghold.The BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in Addis Ababa says the trial has been closely watched in the city, a CUD stronghold.
She says that the entire front row of seats in the court has been taken up by diplomats and simultaneous English translation has been provided. She says that the entire front row of seats in the court was taken up by diplomats and a simultaneous English translation was provided.
Apology?Apology?
Five of the 38, including CUD leader Hailu Shawel, were convicted of inciting, organising and leading armed rebellion and our reporter says they may be sentenced to death. Five of the 38, including CUD leader Hailu Shawel, were also convicted of inciting, organising and leading armed rebellion.
But she says such sentences are rarely carried out in Ethiopia - the government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has only executed one person.
Democracy on trial Ethiopia's government has always stressed that the courts are independent and denies that the trial is political.Democracy on trial Ethiopia's government has always stressed that the courts are independent and denies that the trial is political.
Relatives of the 38, who include two women, say they have signed a document which might pave the way for them to be freed.Relatives of the 38, who include two women, say they have signed a document which might pave the way for them to be freed.
Our correspondent says this could be some form of apology or plea for mercy.Our correspondent says this could be some form of apology or plea for mercy.
Among the 38 are the entire CUD leadership, several of the capital's elected MPs and city councillors, including Berhanu Negga, mayor-elect of Addis Ababa.Among the 38 are the entire CUD leadership, several of the capital's elected MPs and city councillors, including Berhanu Negga, mayor-elect of Addis Ababa.
Prosecutor Abraham Tetemke said they had tried to bring down the government when he called for the death penalty last Monday.Prosecutor Abraham Tetemke said they had tried to bring down the government when he called for the death penalty last Monday.
Hundreds of thousands took part in demonstrations complaining of fraud and rigging in the elections won by Prime Minister Meles' party.Hundreds of thousands took part in demonstrations complaining of fraud and rigging in the elections won by Prime Minister Meles' party.
Some 193 people were killed in protests at alleged vote-rigging.Some 193 people were killed in protests at alleged vote-rigging.
Most of the dead were protesters, killed by security forces.Most of the dead were protesters, killed by security forces.
TarnishedTarnished
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.
The government points out that it introduced multiparty elections to Ethiopia after years of military rule.The government points out that it introduced multiparty 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.
Three months ago, a judge threw out controversial charges of attempted genocide and treason against another 111 people arrested after the election protests.Three months ago, a judge threw out controversial charges of attempted genocide and treason against another 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.
Some donors have reduced aid over the case.Some donors have reduced aid over the case.