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| Burundi MSD opposition 'joggers' get life sentences | Burundi MSD opposition 'joggers' get life sentences |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A court in Burundi has sentenced 21 opposition supporters to life in prison for participating in an illegal demonstration that turned violent. | A court in Burundi has sentenced 21 opposition supporters to life in prison for participating in an illegal demonstration that turned violent. |
| Another 26 Movement for Solidarity and Democracy (MSD) supporters were given lighter terms of between two and 10 years in jail. | Another 26 Movement for Solidarity and Democracy (MSD) supporters were given lighter terms of between two and 10 years in jail. |
| They denied participating in a march and say they were out jogging when a police crackdown began. | They denied participating in a march and say they were out jogging when a police crackdown began. |
| The authorities have since restricted jogging clubs to certain areas. | The authorities have since restricted jogging clubs to certain areas. |
| All sports must now take place in nine parks in the capital, Bujumbura, and other designated football pitches, it was announced earlier this week. | All sports must now take place in nine parks in the capital, Bujumbura, and other designated football pitches, it was announced earlier this week. |
| The BBC's Prime Ndikumagenge in Burundi says jogging is a national pastime on weekend mornings, with hundreds of people out running or taking a walk. | The BBC's Prime Ndikumagenge in Burundi says jogging is a national pastime on weekend mornings, with hundreds of people out running or taking a walk. |
| 'Insurrection' | 'Insurrection' |
| In Burundi, permission must be sought from the authorities to hold a political march or public gathering. | In Burundi, permission must be sought from the authorities to hold a political march or public gathering. |
| Police say they had intelligence that sporting activities were going to be used as a front to organise illegal demonstrations. | Police say they had intelligence that sporting activities were going to be used as a front to organise illegal demonstrations. |
| On Saturday 8 March, officers were deployed in the city to prevent this happening. | On Saturday 8 March, officers were deployed in the city to prevent this happening. |
| But the situation deteriorated into clashes and some of the joggers tried to seek refuge in the MSD headquarters, taking two policemen hostage. | But the situation deteriorated into clashes and some of the joggers tried to seek refuge in the MSD headquarters, taking two policemen hostage. |
| Several people were injured in the fracas and afterwards about 70 MSD supporters were arrested with 48 facing life sentences for insurrection. | Several people were injured in the fracas and afterwards about 70 MSD supporters were arrested with 48 facing life sentences for insurrection. |
| MSD leader Alexis Sinduhije was also charged over the clashes, but has not been caught. | MSD leader Alexis Sinduhije was also charged over the clashes, but has not been caught. |
| Those found guilty on Friday are to appeal against their sentences. | Those found guilty on Friday are to appeal against their sentences. |
| The court in Bujumbura also acquitted 22 of defendants. | The court in Bujumbura also acquitted 22 of defendants. |
| Presidential elections in Burundi, one of the world's poorest countries, are due next year. | Presidential elections in Burundi, one of the world's poorest countries, are due next year. |
| They will be the third held in the small East African nation since a 2003 deal to end a long ethnic-based civil war in which an estimated 300,000 people died. |