Mozambique: Police officer detained for shooting maskless young man

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Mozambique: Police officer detained for shooting maskless young man

8:54 CAT | 21 Jul 2021

Photo: DW

A police officer who shot a young man for not wearing a Covid-19 mask in Niassa province has been arrested and will be presented to a judge. The authorities will pay the costs of the victim’s hospital treatment.

Celestino Castiel was shot in Mitomone, in Majune district, Niassa province, on July 12 by an agent of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM), while in the company of friends and not wearing a Covid-19 protection mask.

“The police hit me, tripped me… When I fell, they shot me in the leg,” the victim told DW Africa.

António Castiel, brother of the victim, is indignant with what happened and castigated the police for acting in this way. “We are here in the hospital with my brother. What the police did is not good, they are here to protect us , but instead of protecting us, they’re beating us. I’m just sad about their behaviour,” he said.

Police resort to violence

According to a military source, the agent found the youths talking without protective masks, and finally handcuffed one of the group members.

Alvesmate.prm_.z.dw_ — *Allves Mate, from the PRM Command of Niassa Province*

“The PRM member entered the house and asked the young people why they were not wearing masks. Minutes later, the PRM member hand handcuffed the young man and then resorted to violence, beating the young man. Seconds later, he fired two shots, one of which hit the victim in the left leg, causing him serious injuries,” PRM spokesperson for Niassa, Alves Mate, detailed.

Sérgio Rafael, a lawyer in Lichinga, vehemently condemns the police action. “It’s not healthy police behaviour,” he stressed.

“To begin with, the police officer is meant to protect the citizen. The fact that [the citizen] is not wearing a mask is a reason to raise awareness. There was no need for excessive zeal. Police officers are supposed to maintain order and tranquillity,” the lawyer explained.

Agent to be prosecuted

According to authorities, the PRM is covering all hospital expenses related to the case of the young man who was shot.

The PRM member, who has now been arrested, will now be the target of a criminal prosecution.

Source: Deutsche Welle