Mozambique Prison Riot Leaves 33 Dead As Civil Unrest Grips Country

A prison riot in Mozambique s capital Maputo left 33 people dead and 15 injured, the countrys police general commander Bernardino Rafael said on Wednesday, as civil unrest linked to Octobers disputed election continues .

A decision on Monday by Mozambique s top court confirming long-ruling party Frelimos victory in the election has sparked fresh nationwide protests by opposition groups and their supporters who say the vote was rigged.

While Rafael blamed protests outside the prison for encouraging the riot, Justice Minister Helena Kida told local private broadcaster Miramar TV that the unrest was started inside the prison and had nothing to do with protests outside.

The confrontations after that resulted in 33 deaths and 15 injured in the vicinity of the jail. Rafael told a media briefing.

The identities of those killed and injured were unclear.