CORRECTED-Ethiopia judge frees 25 in opposition trial

Corrects headline, first and second paragraphs in April 9 story to say eight journalists, instead of 25 journalists freed. Twenty-five refers to the total number of journalists and opposition members freed.

By Tsegaye Tadesse

ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) - An Ethiopian judge on Monday freed eight journalists and 17 others charged in a treason trial involving more than 100 opposition figures that has drawn international criticism as being politically motivated.

Presiding Judge Adil Ahmed told the court the prosecution had failed to prove the charges against the 25, before ordering prison authorities to free them immediately. The defendants could not immediately be reached for comment.

Lead prosecutor Shimeles Kemal told Reuters he had some reservations about the ruling and "may consider an appeal on certain issues."

The judge also ordered the leaders of the main opposition party, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, to give their defence against the prosecution's case against them. They have so far refused to cooperate with a case they say is political.

In a case that has outraged human rights groups, opposition leaders, journalists and civil society activists were charged in December 2005 with treason, inciting violence and attempting to commit genocide.

The charges followed two separate outbreaks of violence in which at least 80 people were killed in clashes between protesters and security forces over 2005 general election results, which the opposition says were rigged.

The judge dropped the genocide and treason charges last week, saying the prosecution had failed to prove its case.