Ethiopia's ex-ruler Mengistu sentenced to life

ADDIS ABABA, Jan 11 (Reuters) An Ethiopian court sentenced former Marxist ruler Mengistu Haile Mariam to life in prison today, but he is exiled safe from the punishment in Zimbabwe.

After a 12-year trial, Mengistu was found guilty in absentia of killing thousands of people during a 17-year reign which began with Emperor Haile Selassie's ousting in 1974 and included war, brutal purges and famine.

Zimbabwe says it will not extradite him.

REUTERS SB RK1500