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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 shorter jail terms. | |
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. |
Meanwhile, a government attempt to change the constitution has failed to gain enough parliamentary support. | |
Opposition parties boycotted the session as they felt the amendments would have undermined reconciliation agreements that ended the country's long ethnic-based civil war in which some 300,000 people died. | |
The government wanted to create a post of prime minister and reduce the role of the senate in overseeing the ethnic balance in state institutions. | |
The BBC's Prime Ndikumagenge in the capital, Bujumbura, says the government's proposals have been partly to blame for the recent rise in political tensions in the small East African nation. | |
'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 that on Saturday 8 March, they had intelligence that sporting activities were going to be used as a front to organise illegal demonstrations. | |
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. | |
The authorities have since restricted jogging clubs to certain areas. | |
All sports must now take place in nine parks in Bujumbura and other designated football pitches, it was announced earlier this week. | |
Our correspondent says jogging is a national pastime, with hundreds of people out running or taking a walk on weekend mornings. | |
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 - they will be the third since the official end to the conflict. | |
Under a series of peace deals, up to 40% of posts in various state institutions, including parliament, are reserved for members of the minority Tutsi community. | |
Laws currently need a two-thirds majority to be passed but the constitutional changes would have changed this to a simple majority, effectively removing the Tutsi blocking veto. |