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DR Congo Eid clashes: Court hands down death sentences | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Police vehicles were also destroyed in the clashes outside Martyrs' Stadium | Police vehicles were also destroyed in the clashes outside Martyrs' Stadium |
Twenty-nine people have been sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo in connection with Eid violence that erupted in the capital, Kinshasa. | Twenty-nine people have been sentenced to death in the Democratic Republic of Congo in connection with Eid violence that erupted in the capital, Kinshasa. |
One police officer was killed and dozens of others were injured in clashes between rival Muslim groups. | One police officer was killed and dozens of others were injured in clashes between rival Muslim groups. |
They had gathered to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, but fell out over who should lead the event. | They had gathered to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, but fell out over who should lead the event. |
The death penalty is no longer applied in DR Congo and those found guilty will serve life sentences instead. | The death penalty is no longer applied in DR Congo and those found guilty will serve life sentences instead. |
Trial broadcast live | Trial broadcast live |
The police had used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse thousands of people who gathered outside the Martyrs' Stadium in Kinshasa on Thursday for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr. | The police had used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse thousands of people who gathered outside the Martyrs' Stadium in Kinshasa on Thursday for the Islamic holiday of Eid al-Fitr. |
A quick guide to DR Congo | A quick guide to DR Congo |
Some of the officers injured in the violence are still in a critical condition, the authorities say. | Some of the officers injured in the violence are still in a critical condition, the authorities say. |
One of the officers wounded in the clashes pictured in a vehicle outside the stadium on Thursday | One of the officers wounded in the clashes pictured in a vehicle outside the stadium on Thursday |
The clashes were fuelled by a leadership dispute between two camps within the Muslim community. | The clashes were fuelled by a leadership dispute between two camps within the Muslim community. |
Forty-one people were arrested at the scene and were put on trial on Friday. | Forty-one people were arrested at the scene and were put on trial on Friday. |
The court session was broadcast live on television and went on all night. | The court session was broadcast live on television and went on all night. |
The Eid al-Fitr prayers usually pass off peacefully - this was the scene at Martyrs' Stadium in 2017 | The Eid al-Fitr prayers usually pass off peacefully - this was the scene at Martyrs' Stadium in 2017 |
There were 31 convictions - 29 people were given the death sentence and two received five-year jail terms. | There were 31 convictions - 29 people were given the death sentence and two received five-year jail terms. |
Given the speed with which the sentences were passed there are bound to be concerns over the fairness of the trial, says BBC World Service Africa editor Will Ross. | Given the speed with which the sentences were passed there are bound to be concerns over the fairness of the trial, says BBC World Service Africa editor Will Ross. |
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