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Jailed Ethiopian Opposition Leaders Denied Bail Again


An Ethiopian court has again denied bail for a group of jailed opposition leaders but has ordered prosecutors to produce formal charges against them in 15 days.

The 23 opposition members appeared in an Addis Ababa courtroom Thursday, with many looking weak and tired from a hunger strike that started Monday.

All were arrested during anti-government riots last month in which at least 46 people died. Police opened fire on similar protests in June, killing at least 36.

Prosecutors Thursday said the group was responsible for the loss of life and tried to overthrow the government by force. Defense attorneys rejected the accusations.

The accused include 19 members of Ethiopia's main opposition group the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, three journalists, and one trade union official.

The opposition group has accused the government of stealing victory in May parliamentary elections.

Some information for this report provided by AFP, Reuters and AP.

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