(CLO) Mozambique's police chief, Bernardino Rafael, has confirmed that thousands of prisoners have escaped from a high-security prison in the capital Maputo, amid riots and violence related to post-election disputes spreading across the country.
Thirty-three inmates were killed and 15 others injured in violent clashes with security forces, Rafael said. The escape took place at Maputo Central Prison, about 14 kilometers southwest of the capital, around noon on December 25.
According to Mr. Rafael, the chaos began with "incitement" by a group of anti-government protesters near the prison area. During the chaos, prisoners seized weapons from guards and began to release other inmates.
Inmates escape from Maputo Central Prison. Screenshot of prison surveillance camera video.
Video circulating on social media showed inmates streaming out of the prison as security and military personnel tried to detain them. Some inmates fled into nearby houses but were later discovered and returned to the prison.
In another video, a prisoner still wearing handcuffs on his right hand said he was held in the prison's disciplinary area before being freed by other prisoners.
The prison break comes as Mozambique is engulfed in a wave of violence after the Constitutional Council confirmed the victory of the ruling Frelimo party in the October 9 election.
At least 21 people, including two police officers, were killed in the riots. According to Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda, the protests and looting began immediately after the election results were announced, mainly by supporters of opposition candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24% of the vote, compared to 65% for Daniel Chapo of the Frelimo party.
Police chief Rafael expressed concern: "One worrying thing is that among the escaped prisoners, there are 29 convicted terrorists. This poses a great threat to national security."
Mr Rafael also stressed that the protesters had "put pressure on the release of prisoners serving sentences in the prison". He called on the escaped prisoners to surrender voluntarily and asked the public to provide information about the escapees.
Hong Hanh (according to Newsweek, Repubblica)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/hang-nghin-tu-nhan-vuot-nguc-o-mozambique-vao-ngay-giang-sinh-post327743.html
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