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Mass Break-Out From Top Security Jail

Agencia de Informacao de Mocambique (Maputo)
NEWS
December 25, 2002
Posted to the web December 26, 2002
Maputo
The Mozambican press has reported a mass break-out from the Maputo top security
jail, but the general commander of the police, Miguel dos Santos, says he has
received no official confirmation from the prison management.
Both the independent weekly "Zambeze" and the Xmas Day edition of the Maputo
daily "Noticias" reported the break-out, putting the number of prisoners who
escaped at around 30.
Some of the prisoners, the reports say, are highly dangerous. They include
convicted murderers, as well as armed robbers and car thieves.
According to "Noticias", the break-out took place in broad daylight, shortly
after 13.00 on Monday. The prisoners scaled the prison wall under circumstances
that have yet to be clarified.
A source in the Criminal Investigation Police (PIC) confirmed that there was
indeed a break-out, though he was unable to tell reporters exactly how many
prisoners had escaped.
Miguel dos Santos told "Noticias" he had no official information from the
prison. But he added that the authorities were "recounting" the inmates, to
check whether they are all there. The prison currently houses about 600
inmates.
Of particular interest are the five men charged with the murder of Mozambique's
top investigative journalist, Carlos Cardoso. Since the reports mention no
names, it is not clear whether any of them have escaped.
A sixth man charged with the assassination, Anibal dos Santos Junior
("Anibalzinho"), was illicitly released from the prison on 1 September.
The prison director, Armando Ussufo, has refused to talk to the press. He told
"Noticias" that it was not his job to talk to reporters, who should contact the
press office at the police general command.

   

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