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Central Africa Republic: Seleka rebel freed from cells by armed loyalists

Central Africa Republic: Seleka rebel freed from cells by armed loyalists

Central African Republic

Abdoulaye Hissene, a former Central African Republic Seleka rebel has escaped the building where he was held. His men intervened to help him escape. H4>

Hissene was arrested last Tuesday and detained in a cell in the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui. A few hours later, a group of men described as “heavily armed commandos” according to the prosecutor of Bangui, Ghislain Grézenguet invaded the premises to free their champion.

The prosecutor added that the number of assailants was well above that of the gendarmes guarding the premises, subsequently the only alternative was to look on as the rampaging rebels released Abdoulaye Hissène and fled with him.

The attackers are believed to have come from the notorious district PK5 (where clashes between Christians and Muslims were the most violent in Bangui) on four 4×4 vehicles firing warning shots.

Tweets on arrest and subsequent liberation of Seleka leader Abdoulaye Hissene from AnthonyFouchard _PierrePinto. #CARcrisis

— Evan Cinq-Mars (@ecinqmars) March 15, 2016

According to sources, no deaths or injuries were reported.

After his spectacular escape from the local gendarmerie, the former Seleka rebel was heard on the airwaves of local radio accusing the prosecutor of Bangui of masterminding his removal, and insisting that there were no charges hanging over him.

Abdoulaye Hissène faced the judge in an investigation which charged him for involvement in the late September 2015 violence which resulted in the death of 77 people with about 500 injured in Bangui, the CAR capital.

The question is whether Hissene will be able to face justice before the establishment of the new government. Especially as he has stated that for him, the current CAR authorities are illegitimate.

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