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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Life in jail for Ethiopia leaders | Life in jail for Ethiopia leaders |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| Eight of the 38 opposition figures in court were given shorter prison terms. The prosecution had demanded the death penalty for them all. | 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. |
| Their relatives say the detainees have signed a document which could pave the way for their release. | Their relatives say the detainees have signed a document which could pave the way for their release. |
| 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. |
| Before the sentences, the US had warned that any judgement should 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 was taken up by diplomats and a simultaneous English translation was 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 also convicted of inciting, organising and leading armed rebellion. | Five of the 38, including CUD leader Hailu Shawel, were also convicted of inciting, organising and leading armed rebellion. |
| 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 could lead to them being 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. |
| 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. |
| Tarnished | Tarnished |
| 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. |