6000 Inmates Escape High Security Prison Mozambique
MAPUTO, Mozambique. — At least 6,000 inmates escaped from the Maputo Central Prison on Christmas Day after a violent rebellion, according to the country’s police chief. The escape occurred during widespread post-election riots and protests that have shaken the country.
Police chief Bernardino Rafael reported that 33 prisoners died, and 15 others sustained injuries during a confrontation with security forces. The unrest began shortly after the country’s Constitutional Council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party as the winner of the October 9 elections. Violent protests followed, with demonstrators destroying police vehicles, stations, and other infrastructure.
The rebellion at Maputo Central Prison, located 14 kilometers southwest of the capital, started at around midday on Wednesday. Rafael attributed the chaos to agitation from a “group of subversive protesters” nearby. Some inmates were able to overpower the guards, snatching their weapons and freeing others.
Rafael revealed that 29 convicted terrorists were among the prisoners released. The situation is a cause of concern for the authorities, as there are fears over the potential dangers posed by these individuals. He added that the protesters were demanding the removal of certain prisoners from the facility. The protests led to the collapse of a wall, enabling the inmates to escape.
Videos circulating on social media show inmates fleeing the prison, while others depict the capture of fugitives by military personnel and prison guards. Some prisoners tried to hide in nearby homes but were eventually apprehended. One video shows an inmate, still with handcuffs on his wrist, explaining that he had been released by other detainees from the prison’s disciplinary section.
The violence in Mozambique follows the confirmation of Frelimo’s Daniel Chapo as the winner of the disputed elections. The country has seen widespread unrest, particularly among supporters of losing candidate Venancio Mondlane, who garnered 24% of the vote. The U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over the escalating violence and urged political leaders to engage in dialogue and work towards a peaceful resolution.
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