At least 6,000 inmates escaped from a high-security prison in Mozambique’s capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, the country’s police chief said, as widespread post-election riots and violence continue to engulf the country.
Thirty-three prisoners died and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with the security forces, the police chief Bernardino Rafael added.
The prisoners fled during violent protests, that have seen police cars, stations and general public infrastructure destroyed after the country´s Constitutional Council confirmed the ruling Frelimo party as the winner of the October 9 elections.
A decision on Monday by Mozambique’s top court confirming long-ruling party Frelimo’s victory in the election has sparked fresh nationwide protests by opposition groups and their supporters who say the vote was rigged.
The escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located 14 km southwest of the capital, started around midday Christmas Day after ‘agitation’ by a ‘group of subversive protesters’ nearby, Rafael said, adding that prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from prison warders and started freeing other detainees.
‘A curious fact is that in that prison we had 29 convicted terrorists, who they released. We are worried, as a country, as Mozambicans, as members of the defense and security forces,’ said Rafael.
‘They (protestors) were making noise demanding that they be able to remove the prisoners who are there serving their sentences’, said Rafael, adding that the protests led to the collapse of a wall, allowing the prisoners to flee.
He called for the voluntary surrender of the escaped prisoners and for the population to be informed about the fugitives.
Police in Mozambique have said at least 6,000 inmates have escaped from a high security prison
Thirty-three prisoners died and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with the security forces, according to police
About 1,534 people escaped from the prison in the incident but 150 have now been recaptured
Videos circulating on social media show the moment inmates left the prison, while other recordings reveal captures made by military personnel and prison guards.
Many prisoners tried to hide in homes, but some were unsuccessful and ended up being detained.
One prisoner still with handcuffs on his right wrist says, in an amateur video, that he was in the disciplinary section of the maximum prison and was released by other inmates.
He can also be heard saying: ‘We are gping to save the country.
‘We are not here to do anyone wrong.
‘These handcuffs are because I lit the first flame in the maximum security prison.
‘I was in the disciplinary cell. My cronies started the revolution and freed me.
‘I’m going home with this sh**, but I’m going to save the country’, he adds.
While Rafael blamed protests outside the prison for encouraging the riot, Justice Minister Helena Kida told local private broadcaster Miramar TV that the unrest was started inside the prison and had nothing to do with protests outside.
Protests unfolded after the country’s Frelimo party won the October 9 national elections
Videos circulating on social media show the moment inmates left the prison, while other recordings reveal captures made by military personnel and prison guards
Many prisoners tried to hide in homes, but some were unsuccessful and ended up being detained
About 1,534 people escaped from the prison in the incident but 150 have now been recaptured, Rafael said, adding that there were prison break attempts at two other prisons.
‘We are worried as a country, Mozambicans and security forces,’ Rafael said. ‘We expect in the next 48 hours a rise in crime.’