Comoros
The Comorian President Azali Assoumani on Wednesday pardoned 17 jailed opposition figures a day after taking office.
Among those freed in the presidential decree include Hassane Ahmed el-Barwane, Secretary General of the main Juwa opposition party.
He was serving 7 years in prison for assaulting a soldier.
They were totally pardoned but the pardon measures do not concern those who were judged in absentia.
“Among them, there were those who were sentenced to life imprisonment. Their sentences were reduced to 20 years of imprisonment. For the others, their sentences ranged from 15, 10, 15, 20 years. They were totally pardoned but the pardon measures do not concern those who were judged in absentia”, said Comorian presidential spokesperson, Mohamed Ismail.
Those whose life sentences were reduced to 20 years include, writer Said Ahmed Said Tourqui and Bahassane Ahmed Said, brother of former vice president Djaffar Ahmed Said, who sought refuge in France.
Fahardine Mohamed is lawyer for the journalists freed.
“We will give opinions later, now we are just happy and we share it with you journalists. It is a joy to you especially and we’ll tell you all we have to say in the coming days. For today, we have no comments,” he said.
All those pardoned were jailed for up to 20 years on charges linked to unrest following a controversial constitutional referendum to extend the president’s term last year.
Azali took the oath of office on Sunday, two months after his controversial re-election. He pledged “appeasement measures” to quell accusations of election fraud.
AFP
01:40
Eswatini readies for vote seen as contest between monarchy and opposition
Go to video
Mali: several parties condemn junta's “unilateral” move to postpone presidential vote
01:08
Egypt to hold presidential elections in December
00:48
Madagascar: opposition candidates meet the High Court after protesting
01:05
Senegal: Pastef appeals to the Court of Justice of ECOWAS and the Supreme Court
Go to video
Liberia opposition leader Boakai opens bid to beat President Weah