Interrogation of defendants in Cabo Delgado attacks trial nears completion

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Interrogation of defendants in Cabo Delgado attacks trial nears completion

1:17 CAT | 13 Dec 2018

File photo: William Mapote / Voa Portugues

The last two defendants in the Cabo Delgado armed attacks case arrived at the Pemba court around 8:00 am on Tuesday, looking weak and under heavy security.

One of the defendants, a former member of the police and allegedly one of the armed group’s military training instructors, is considered key to clarifying the case.

During the interrogation, the defendant protested his innocence, stating that he does not know the group, has never been in a training camp and has never taught anyone to fire a firearm in his life.

In addition to answering questions from the judge, prosecutor and defence, the defendant took advantage of the hearing to denounce the torture to which he alleged he had been submitted by the Defence and Security Forces, and which left him unable to move.

Another defendant is a young Tanzanian national who also denied any involvement in the attacks and said he had left Zanzibar for Mozambique simply to fish.

At the end of the three-hour session, the judge scheduled the hearing of the respondents for 19 December, without hearing the one sick – and therefore absent – defendant.

The first trial of those suspected of having been involved in the attacks in Cabo Delgado began on October 3 with 189 defendants, including Mozambicans and foreigners.

The attacks in northern Cabo Delgado began in October last year and, despite strong Defence and Security Forces presence, the group involved continues to terrorise populations, especially in the districts of Nangade and Macomia, where this year alone more than 20 people have been killed and dozens of burned houses.

By Hizidine Achá

Source: O País