A riot at a prison in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, left 33 people dead and 15 injured.

A riot at a prison in Mozambique’s capital, Maputo, left 33 people dead and 15 injured, police general commander Bernardino Rafael confirmed on Wednesday, December 25. The unrest is believed to have been linked to nationwide protests sparked by the ruling party Frelimo's disputed election victory. However the cause is not yet confirmed. 

Mozambique’s top court announced on December 23 the confirmation of Frelimo’s win in October’s election, which opposition groups claim was rigged. Protests erupted across the country following the decision.

According to Rafael, the riot was encouraged by protesters who approached the prison and demanded the release of inmates. “The circumstances that occurred during the attack at around 1:00 p.m. (1100 GMT) today, a group of subversive demonstrators approached the vicinity of the prison, making noise with their protests, demanding to release the prisoners serving their sentences there,” Rafael said during a media briefing.

He added, “They took them out of the cells or out of that prison, about 1,534 inmates. The protesters took them out and left with them.” So far, 150 of the escapees have been recaptured.

Justice Minister Helena Kida, however, disputed this account, stating on local broadcaster Miramar TV that the riot began inside the prison and was unrelated to the protests outside.

Authorities also reported attempted prison breaks at two other facilities during the unrest. The identities of those killed and injured in the riot remain unclear as investigations continue.

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