Ethiopia life jail terms attacked

An Ethiopian court sentenced 35 opposition members to life in prison today, rebuffing a prosecution request that they be executed…

An Ethiopian court sentenced 35 opposition members to life in prison today, rebuffing a prosecution request that they be executed for trying to overthrow the government, treason and inciting violence.

The remaining eight defendants, including four journalists, were ordered to serve terms of between 18 months and 18 years in a case rights groups and some donor governments criticised as an attempt to cripple the opposition after it made election gains.

"The accused have committed serious crimes, which caused the death of civilians and security forces and attempted to overthrow the government," Judge Adil Ahmed told the court.

Many of the defendants, calling the case a politically motivated charade, had refused to present a defence despite court orders to do so.

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Thirty-eight defendants were in court, while the rest were tried in absentia. Relatives and defendants wept, while others held their head in their hands in apparent shock.

The defendants, among them leaders of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), were convicted last month on charges relating to violent protests over 2005 polls the opposition says were rigged.

CUD Chairman Hailu Shawel, Addis Ababa mayor-elect Berhanu Nega and opposition members elected to parliament were also among those sentenced.

Judge Adil said they had the right to appeal, but it was not immediately clear whether they would.

After prosecutors demanded the death penalty last week, the United States, a major ally, expressed surprise and urged the Ethiopian government and high court to take action "consistent with the greater objectives of bolstering the rule of law".