Police beat MPs in Niger

  1. Posted on Monday 31 August 2009 - 09:00
    KingsleyKobo
    Image of KingsleyKobo
    Kinsley Kobo, AfricaNews reporter Abidjan, Ivory Coast
    Some Niger's former members of parliament who attempted to reinstate the Parliament which President Mamadou Tandja squashed in May were brutalised on Sunday by the police. Tear-gas, whips and batons were employed by police in Niamey (capital) to hinder these ex-MPs from opening the Parliament house.
    Niger protesters
    The Parliamnet is in the central Poudriere district and that country’s police hindered the MPs from holding this symbolic section.

    About 65 former MPs were severely tortured, resulting in bloody wounds and deep cuts, according to eyewitnesses quoted by AFP.

    About 1000 sympathisers of the embattled MPs who were marching down for rescue were beaten back by the police with tear-gas. They retaliated with hurling of stones and boos.

    President Tandja dissolved the Parliament and Supreme Court to enable him organise the widely condemned August 4 referendum which he won in a landslide and now ensures his limitless terms in office.

    The European Union has suspended aid to the West African uranium-rich nation.

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