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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - A court sentenced 35 opposition politicians and activists to life in prison on Monday and denied them the right to vote or run for public office for inciting violence in an attempt to overthrow the government.
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 were sentenced to between 18 months and 18 years in prison, said Judge Adil Ahmed, reading the sentences on behalf of the three-judge panel.
The judges declined to follow the recommendation of the prosecution to hand down the death penalty, Adil said.
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