Human rights activists arrested
2010-01-17 16:15
Luanda - Three human rights campaigners, including a priest, have been arrested in Cabinda, AFP learned on Sunday, following the deadly attack on the Togolese football team travelling to take part in the Cup of Nations.
These arrests were said not to be in direct connection with the January 8 separatist shooting that killed two and led to Togo pulling out of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Well-known Cabindan lawyer Francisco Luemba was seized at his home at 05:00 on Sunday, according to his son Joao, who also said priest Raul Tati, who was dismissed from the Church in December, and lawyer Martinho Nombo were picked up late on Saturday.
"They came this morning very early and took my father," Joao Luemba told AFP.
"And then came back and searched the house and then his office and took many documents away. Nombo and Tati were arrested [on Saturday]", he said.
A book
"We believe my father has been held because of a book he wrote in 2008 about Cabinda", he said.
The arrests follow the detention of university professor Belchior Lanso, former police officer Pedro Fuca and Chevron employee Jose Zefarino Pauti, who are being held in Cabinda's prison, believed to be accused of crimes against state security.
Cabinda's public prosecutor Antonio Nito said he could only confirm these first three arrests, as the others had not yet been presented to the prosecutor's office.
He added the detentions were not in direct connection with the two arrests made on January 8 after the attack on the Togo team bus.
"They are not directly linked," he said.
Eight people are now in custody following the shooting, which has been claimed by several factions of the separatist movement FLEC that has been fighting for independence for more than 30 years, and saw Togo pull out of the Cup of Nations.
- SAPA