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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia -- The Ethiopian marathon runner who made an anti-government gesture at the Rio Games while approaching the finish line will not face prosecution upon his return home and will have a heroic welcome, a government spokesman said Monday. But it was not clear whether the runner would go back.Feyisa Lilesa told reporters on Sunday that he may be killed or imprisoned if he ever returns to the East African country. He called protesting inside Ethiopia very dangerous.The silver medalist crossed his wrists in an attempt to draw global attention to recent deadly protests in his home region, Oromia. He told reporters that Ethiopias government is killing his people.Oromo is my tribe, he said. My relatives are in prison, and if they talk about democratic rights they are killed.The crossed-wrists gesture has been widely used by anti-government protesters in recent nationwide demonstrations as a sign of peaceful resistance, and before that by the Muslim community when it revolted against the government. It is meant to symbolize being handcuffed by security forces.Lilesa will not face any problems for his political stance, the government spokesman, Getachew Reda, told the state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate. After all, this is an athlete who secured a silver medal for his country.Lilesa told reporters that he would discuss what to do next with family and friends.Ethiopias state broadcaster, EBC, did not re-broadcast images of Lilesas gesture. Some people who were watching live and cheering for Lilesa quickly hushed when they saw his gesture.The Oromo are Ethiopias largest ethnic group with about 40 million people. Their region has seen massive anti-government protests since November 2015 that activists say have left more than 400 dead.The protests were ignited by the governments decision to annex some Oromia land into the capital, Addis Ababa. The plan has been abandoned, but demonstrations calling for wider freedoms have continued.Ethiopias government, a close security ally of the West, is often accused of silencing dissent, even blocking internet access at times. Earlier this month, video obtained by The Associated Press showed Ethiopian security forces beating, kicking and dragging several protesters during a rare demonstration in the capital. Billy McKinney Blue Jays Jersey . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. Paul Molitor Jersey . PAUL, Minn. http://www.bluejaysonline.com/blue-jays-ken-giles-jersey/ . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Justin Smoak Blue Jays Jersey . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Randal Grichuk Blue Jays Jersey . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Kangaroos back-rower Trent Merrin has welcomed coach Wayne Bennetts move to select real countrymen in England Four Nations squad.There was plenty of speculation Aussie Poms such as Brett and Josh Morris and Trent Hodkinson, would be drafted into Bennetts squad under the international eligibility grandparents clause.But Bennett selected no such players in his England squad announced on Monday.I reckon it is great, Merrin said on Tuesday.I know that I hold my Australian jersey close to my heart. I am born and bred here and it means everything to me.It will be the same to those players as well. You can tell with the passion they play with. It is good for the game.It is good for international rugby league.The Australians are in Perth preparing for Saturdays Test against New Zealand at nib Stadium.ddddddddddddThey will travel to the Four Nations in Britain on Thursday week.Merrin is expected to return to the Australian side after playing one Test in 2015, when coach Mal Meninga names his side later this week.The star Penrith back-rower said allowing smaller league nations to feature Australian players such as Peter Wallace would help grow rugby league in the lesser nations.But he maintained that Bennett had helped to preserve the integrity of international rugby league among its major nations by picking English players. ' ' '