MAPUTO, Dec 26: A mass prison break took place in the central maximum security prison near the Mozambican capital of Maputo following riots sparked by the announcement of the final results of the country’s presidential election, media reported
On Monday, the Constitutional Council of Mozambique confirmed the results of the October election, which resulted in the victory of the ruling party FRELIMO’s candidate, Daniel Chapo. Following the announcement, riots started across the country.
“We confirm the escape, but our teams are still on the ground to determine the exact number and other details,” the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Justino Tonela, told the news agency.
Later in the day, the Agence France-Presse reported, citing police general commander Bernardino Rafael, that the total of over 1,534 escaped in the prison break. The police chief also said that 33 inmates were killed and 15 injured during the breakout.
The police managed to capture around 150 of the escapees, Rafael added.
The Maximum Security Penitentiary of Maputo, located over 8.6 miles from the capital, houses over 3,000 people convicted of violent crimes, mostly murder, according to the Mozambican Justice Ministry.
A general election was held in Mozambique on October 9, with preliminary results indicating Chapo in the lead for the presidency. Independent candidate Venancio Mondlane voiced his disagreement with the preliminary results and called for widespread civil disobedience actions.
(UNI)
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