Jailbreak amid Mozambique protests sees 1,500 prisoners escape, 33 killed

Suspected riot erupts wrong a situation successful superior Maputo, with immoderate officials denying the incidental is linked to post-election unrest.

A suspected riot wrong a jailhouse successful Mozambique’s superior has near astatine slightest 33 radical dormant and 15 injured, portion much than 1,500 prisoners escaped, authorities said.

Police wide commandant Bernardino Rafael connected Wednesday said 150 of the prisoners who fled the situation successful Maputo person been recaptured.

Mozambique is experiencing escalating civilian unrest linked to October’s disputed election, which extended long-ruling enactment Frelimo’s enactment successful power. Opposition groups and their supporters assertion the ballot was rigged.

While Rafael blamed protests extracurricular the situation for encouraging the riot, Justice Minister Helena Kida told section backstage broadcaster Miramar TV that the unrest was started wrong the situation and had thing to bash with protests outside.

“The confrontations aft that resulted successful 33 deaths and 15 injured successful the vicinity of the jail,” Rafael told a media briefing.

The identities of those killed and injured were unclear.

A study by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) said the prisoners overpowered guards and seized AK-47 rifles, allowing them to flight the correctional facility.

Mozambican writer Clemente Carlos told SABC the escapees apt took vantage of the Christmas vacation season, erstwhile less guards were connected work compared with regular moving days.

“This shocking incidental raises urgent questions astir the authorities of information and the justness strategy successful Mozambique,” Adriano Nuvunga, manager of the Center for Democracy and Human Rights successful Mozambique, wrote connected X connected Wednesday.

“Now, much than ever, it is captious for authorities, civilian society, and planetary partners to collaborate to guarantee nationalist information and code the systemic challenges that led to this situation.”

Meanwhile, astatine slightest 21 people, including 2 constabulary officers, were confirmed dead during 2 days of unit implicit predetermination results connected Monday and Tuesday, including attacks connected petrol stations, constabulary stations, and banks.

The fatalities brought the decease toll successful the state to 151 since October 21, according to Plataforma Decide, an predetermination monitoring group.

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Al Jazeera and quality agencies