By Tsegaye Tadesse

ADDIS ABABA, July 18 (Reuters) - Ethiopia's clemency board visited opposition leaders sentenced to life in jail this week to check the authenticity of letter sent to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi asking for mercy, an official said on Wednesday.

The government released what it said was a letter from the opposition leaders and members on Monday, the day an Ethiopian court sentenced 35 of them to life in prison for their role in two bouts of post-election violence in 2005.

They were convicted of inciting violence, treason and trying to overthrow the government after the elections, in which the opposition made huge gains but said it was robbed of victory by vote-rigging. The government denies the allegations.

Eight other defendants were jailed for between 18 months and 18 years after a trial rights groups and some donor governments criticised as a move by Meles to weaken the opposition after they made strong gains in the 2005 election.

Members of the board, including the chairman, Justice Minister Assefa Kasito, went to Kaliti prison near the capital Addis Ababa on Tuesday, the Information Ministry said.

"The clemency board ... talked to each of the prisoners to ascertain the authenticity of the letter for clemency," Information Ministry spokesman Zemedhun Tekle said.

The board, he said, will consider the clemency appeal of 38 of 72 leaders and members of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD). The cases of the remaining prisoners would follow, he said.

The United States, a close ally of Ethiopia, has urged Meles to exercise clemency. Meles himself has no constitutional powers of clemency -- those reside with President Girma Woldegiorgise -- but analysts believe his opinion will be considered.

The CUD has made no comment about the letter's authenticity.

A parliament-commissioned inquiry found 199 civilians and police officers were killed in clashes over the vote, which was billed as the freest ever in the relatively young democracy.

The parliamentary inquiry found that more than 800 people were injured and 30,000 suspected opposition members were arrested. European Union observers listed a catalogue of irregularities, including the intimidation of opponents.

The crackdown tarnished Meles' democratic credentials and prompted donors, including the EU, to halt direct budgetary aid.

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