Chad: Opposition decries judicial laxity in missing soldiers case

Chadian opposition denounced the lightness with which the judicial authorities handled the case over the suspected disappearances of some 20 soldiers after the April 10 presidential elections.

Chadian leader of opposition Saleh Kebzabo said on Tuesday that he was “surprised” that no further action was taken in this case.

The opposition accuses Chadian authorities of having taken away or imprisoning soldiers that had refused to vote in favor of President Idriss Deby in the election.

Kebzabo had released a statement dismissing death speculations of these soldiers. The statement said that this hasty conclusion is an insult to the parents and relatives of soldiers who have still not reappeared since they went missing. The statement further called for a broadening of the investigation before any conclusion.

The prosecution held that nothing in the investigation allowed for the establishment of a criminal act. The case was thus filed away for lack of evidence.