Mauritania frees 'extremists'

2005-08-07 15:31

Nouakchott - The ruling military council set up after a coup in the northwest African state of Mauritania on Sunday freed around 20 alleged Islamic extremists jailed by the ousted government, including a leader with alleged links to a pro-al-Qaeda group in neighbouring Algeria.

The release of the activists, who included Islamist leader Mohamed Elhacen Ould Dedaw, was greeted by a jubilant procession through the streets of the capital Nouakchott.

The head of the public prosecutor's office said however that the suspects had only been given a conditional release, although one of their lawyers said he expected the charges against them to be thrown out.

- SAPA