Chad says more than 620 arrests in protests

Chad says more than 620 arrests in protests

The government has suspended all party political activity since protests on October 20 left at least 50 dead
The government has suspended all party political activity since protests on October 20 left at least 50 dead. Photo: - / AFP/File
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

More than 620 people, including dozens of minors, have been arrested in Chad, the public prosecutor said Friday, after anti-regime protests that left at least 50 dead.

The arrest figure is far higher than previously stated officially but had been suggested by local and international rights groups after the mass demonstrations.

N'Djamena prosecutor Moussa Wade Djibrine, told reporters "621 people had been arrested and sent" to Koro Toro high security prison in the desert some 600 kilometres (360 miles) from the capital.

He said those detained were behind "serious acts and targeted attacks on the Republic's institutions".

Around 401 people have appeared in court and the other 220 before an instructing magistrate, he added.

Read also

Kenya drops $60 million graft case against Ruto's deputy

A total of 83 of those held appeared before children's judges.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app!

Wade Djibrine gave no further details and refused to answer questions.

Last week, Prime Minister Saleh Kebzabo told AFP the government had accepted the principle of an international inquiry "as soon as possible" to shed light on the bloodshed on October 20.

The authorities say the official death toll included a dozen members of the security forces and accused the opposition of mounting an "insurrection".

According to rights groups, dozens more people were killed during and since the protests across several cities.

Opposition groups called the demonstrations to mark the date when the ruling military had initially promised to hand over power -- a timeline now extended for another two years by General Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno.

Read also

Chad's two main opposition figures say in hiding for safety

The 38-year-old took power after his father, president Idriss Deby Itno, who ruled for 30 years, died during an operation against rebels in April 2021.

Since the protests, which also resulted in 300 wounded, the government has suspended all party political activity.

It has also imposed a night curfew "until the total restoration of order" in the capital N'Djamena and the towns of Moundou, Doba and Koumra.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.