6 held for Mozambique riots

2010-09-06 08:48

Maputo - Mozambican state radio says six people have been arrested, accused of incitement for sending cell phone messages calling for protests over high food, water and electricity prices.

Monday's radio report said they were arrested a day earlier in Nampula for trying to spread the protests to that northern province. While Nampula has seen no unrest, protests last week in the capital, Maputo, turned violent. At least 10 people were killed in clashes with police.

Maputo was calm over the weekend. Many people were staying home on Monday for fear of more violence. Police reported finding a few burning tires in the streets but no protesters at the roadblocks.

No one has claimed responsibility for organising the protests sparked by rises in the government-set price of bread, water and electricity.

- AP