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PM pardon for protest Ethiopians PM pardon for protest Ethiopians
(10 minutes later)
Thirty Ethiopian opposition leaders sentenced to life in prison over election protests have been pardoned, the prime minister has announced.Thirty Ethiopian opposition leaders sentenced to life in prison over election protests have been pardoned, the prime minister has announced.
Meles Zenawi said the pardon took immediate effect, meaning they should all be freed shortly.Meles Zenawi said the pardon took immediate effect, meaning they should all be freed shortly.
The group always said the trial was political and refused to enter a plea, leading to the men's conviction. Five were found guilty of armed rebellion.The group always said the trial was political and refused to enter a plea, leading to the men's conviction. Five were found guilty of armed rebellion.
Some donors have cut aid to Ethiopia, amid criticism of the trial.Some donors have cut aid to Ethiopia, amid criticism of the trial.
In addition to the 30 Coalition for Unity and Democracy leaders jailed for life, Mr Meles also pardoned six young men and two journalists who were also given jail terms for their role in the protests over alleged poll rigging in the 2005 elections.In addition to the 30 Coalition for Unity and Democracy leaders jailed for life, Mr Meles also pardoned six young men and two journalists who were also given jail terms for their role in the protests over alleged poll rigging in the 2005 elections.
PROTEST SENTENCES In court: Life in jail: 30 opposition leaders15-18 years: 6 young men for rioting1-3 years: 2 journalists In absentia: Life in jail: 5 Democracy on trial
Five others were convicted in absentia.Five others were convicted in absentia.
Among the 30 are CUD leader Hailu Shawel, the mayor-elect of the Addis Ababa Berhanu Nega and several other MPs and councillors from the capital.
Mr Meles also said their rights to vote and contest elections would be restored.Mr Meles also said their rights to vote and contest elections would be restored.
The government had said the 30 had confessed to their crimes and had asked for a pardon.The government had said the 30 had confessed to their crimes and had asked for a pardon.
The head of the European Union 2005 election observers in Ethiopia had condemned the life sentences as "farcical" and "inhumane".The head of the European Union 2005 election observers in Ethiopia had condemned the life sentences as "farcical" and "inhumane".
After the state prosecutor called for the death penalty, the US urged the government to "promote reconciliation" in the final sentence.After the state prosecutor called for the death penalty, the US urged the government to "promote reconciliation" in the final sentence.
The government always said it could not interfere in the case until the legal process had finished.The government always said it could not interfere in the case until the legal process had finished.
Some 193 people died after thousands of people protested against the election results.
Most of those were protesters, killed by the security forces.
The government denied charges of rigging and points out that it introduced multi-party elections to Ethiopia.