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Ethiopian 38 face death penalty Ethiopian 38 face death penalty
(40 minutes later)
An Ethiopian court is due to deliver its sentence on 38 opposition leaders, with the prosecution calling for the death penalty. An Ethiopian court is due to deliver its sentence after a high-profile trial of 38 opposition leaders, in which the prosecution demanded the death penalty.
The 38 were found guilty of links to violent election protests in 2005.The 38 were found guilty of links to violent election protests in 2005.
They have so far refused to recognise the court and did not enter a plea, saying the trial was political.They have so far refused to recognise the court and did not enter a plea, saying the trial was political.
The US urged the Ethiopian government and the High Court to "promote much-needed reconciliation" in final sentencing. A BBC correspondent says that any sentence is unlikely to be carried out, as a political process is under way. The US has called for reconciliation.
The US is a close ally of Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and helped his forces oust Islamists in Somalia. The BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in Addis Ababa says the trial has been closely watched in the city, a stronghold of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD).
Ethiopia's government has always stressed that the courts are independent and denies that the trial is political. 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.
Relatives of the 38 Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) leaders say they have signed a document which might pave the way for them to be freed. Apology?
The BBC's Elizabeth Blunt in Addis Ababa says this could be some form of apology or plea for mercy. 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.
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.
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.
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.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6284874.stm">Democracy on trial Prosecutor Abraham Tetemke said they had tried to bring down the government when he called for the death penalty on 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.
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.
Their offences included outrage against the constitution and, in the case of party leader, Hailu Shawel, and four others, inciting, organising and leading armed rebellion. Tarnished
Hundreds of thousands took part in demonstrations complaining of fraud and rigging in the elections won by Prime Minister Meles' party.
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.
Tarnished
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.