An Ethiopian court has sentenced five people to death and 33 others to life in prison for planning to assassinate government officials. Prosecutors had said the convicted were part of the Ginbot 7 group led by Berhanu Nega, a US-based dissident. He was among those sentenced to death, as was opposition leader Melaku Tefera. <br/><br/>The authorities have long accused Mr Berhanu of spearheading opposition plots. They said weapons, including land mines were found at the men's homes when they were arrested in April. However, Mr. Berhanu denied engaging in armed struggle against the government. Meanwhile, the Rights groups have expressed concern that the government is trying to silence dissent before Ethiopia holds its next national election in June 2010.<br/>