|
 ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AP) - Ethiopia pardoned and freed 38 opposition members Friday following international condemnation of the two-year case and strong pressure this week from the United States.
To the cheers and whistles of supporters, the politicians and activists left Kaliti Prison in a convoy of minibuses minutes after Prime Minister Meles Zenawi announced they had been pardoned. The defendants had been held since 2005 in connection with deadly election protests.
"I hope this conveys the message that people are given a second chance as long as they seek it," Meles said.
|