July 16, 2007

Ethiopian Court Sentences 35 to Life

Monday July 16, 2007

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - An Ethiopian court has convicted 35 opposition politicians and activists and sentenced them to life in prison for inciting violence in an attempt to overthrow the government, a judge said Monday.

The prosecution had called for death sentences against the defendants, who included Ethiopia's top opposition leaders and five people charged, tried and convicted in absentia.

Another eight defendants facing similar charges have been sentenced to between one and 18 years in prison, said Judge Adil Ahmed, reading the sentences on behalf of the three-judge panel.

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