ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Ethiopia’s [dictatorship] on Friday freed 38 opposition members. “The pardon is total. They are being freed with their constitutional rights restored. They have committed themselves to adhere (to) and respect the rule of law as well as the constitution of the country,” Meles told a press conference today.
An Ethiopian court sentenced 35 opposition members to life in prison on Monday for trying to overthrow the government, inciting violence and treason. The charges related to violent protests over disputed 2005 polls..
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Eight other defendants were given sentences of between 18 months and 18 years after a trial that rights groups and some donor governments criticised as a move by Meles to weaken the opposition after they made strong gains in the 2005 election.
The United States, a major ally, had urged Ethiopia to consider exercising clemency over the sentences.
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