38 opposition members freed
Ethiopia pardoned and freed 38 opposition members after international condemnation of the two-year case and strong pressure this week from the U.S.
The defendants, who sent formal apologies to the government seeking pardons, had been sentenced this week to terms as long as life in prison for inciting violence in an attempt to overthrow Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Prosecutors had been pushing for the death penalty.
Hailu Shawel, leader of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy, was defiant after his release, saying he signed the apology under duress.
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