Mozambique: Amnesty International denounces torture of suspected jihadists
Province of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, located in the extreme northeast of the country.
Emidio JOSINE / AFP
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2 min
Have the Mozambican security forces tortured suspected jihadists in the north of the country?
This is what Amnesty International says, which says it has analyzed photos and videos from last May showing soldiers beating and kicking tied prisoners, as well as possible summary executions.
If the authorities dismiss the charges, Amnesty calls on the government to launch an independent and impartial investigation.
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The authorities quickly refuted the accusations of torture against
the security forces operating in the province of Cabo Delgado
.
Omar Saranga, spokesman for the Mozambican defense ministry, accuses Amnesty International of ignoring the abuses committed by Islamists.
“
Charges of torture, attempted beheadings or other ill-treatment should not be taken at face value.
In addition, we note that nothing is said in particular about the massacre of Xitaxi, where were assassinated more than 50 young people who refused to join the ranks of the terrorists.
"
But David Matsinhe, member of Amnesty International, persists and signs.
“
I have already been arrested in Cabo Delgado and threatened with the treatment we see in these videos.
The latter asks the government to open an independent and impartial investigation to shed light on this affair.
“
If the government maintains that what Amnesty International says does not correspond to reality, all the more reason for it to allow local and international investigators to visit the site
!
"
The province of Cabo Delgado has been under attack for almost a year by the Islamist group Al Shabab
.
But for Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International's director for East Africa, this violence "
can in no way justify this other violence committed by the security forces
".
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Mozambique
Terrorism
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