Cardoso murder: Suspect sends tape
2002-12-20 07:32
Maputo - A Mozambique court hearing the trial of the murder of a prominent investigative journalist received a video tape on Thursday from the fugitive chief suspect Anibal Antonio dos Santos or Anibalzinho, who escaped from prison in September.
But the tape which was brough to court by police chief investigator in the case, Antonio Frangoulis, was rejected by the judge Augusto Paulino.
"The state cannot be run from a distance by a fugitive suspect, and he must present himself to court if he wants to express himself," said the judge.
Anibalzinho is being tried in absentia, while five of his alleged accomplices are being tried in person for the killing of Carlos Cardoso in central Maputo in November 2000.
The tape was taken to the police by Anibalzinho's relatives.
In the meantime, the court adjourned the trial until January 6, 2003 after hearing more than 20 witnesses who included the police chief investigator and the eldest son of President Joaquim Chissano, Nyimpine.
Nyimpine was repeatedly implicated by suspects as one of the conspirators in the killing of Cardoso. - Sapa-AFP
- SAPA