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Jamaica police declare emergency | Jamaica police declare emergency |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A state of emergency has been declared in parts of the Jamaican capital, Kingston, after police were attacked by armed gangs trying to prevent the arrest of an alleged druglord. | A state of emergency has been declared in parts of the Jamaican capital, Kingston, after police were attacked by armed gangs trying to prevent the arrest of an alleged druglord. |
Two police stations were shot at and a third set on fire by suspected supporters of Christopher "Dudus" Coke. | Two police stations were shot at and a third set on fire by suspected supporters of Christopher "Dudus" Coke. |
The Jamaican government agreed to extradite him to the US last week. | The Jamaican government agreed to extradite him to the US last week. |
But his supporters have set up barricades and said they will fight to protect him. | But his supporters have set up barricades and said they will fight to protect him. |
The BBC's Nick Davis in Kingston says troops and police have come under fire, and smoke is rising from the burning police station. | The BBC's Nick Davis in Kingston says troops and police have come under fire, and smoke is rising from the burning police station. |
Christopher "Dudus" Coke is accused of being a gang leader | |
Police have rushed to evacuate women and children from Kingston's roughest neighbourhoods. | |
The state of emergency covers the West Kingston and St Andrews districts of the capital, where the violence broke out, and will last at least a month, the government said. | The state of emergency covers the West Kingston and St Andrews districts of the capital, where the violence broke out, and will last at least a month, the government said. |
The areas are a stronghold of support for Mr Coke, 41, who says he is a community leader. | The areas are a stronghold of support for Mr Coke, 41, who says he is a community leader. |
Our correspondent says Mr Coke's supporters see him as a man who is fulfilling a role that the government does not. | |
He looks after them and gives them money when they are out of work, and because of that he has a huge amount of support in the area. | |
Police have called for his surrender and have described the barricades surrounding his area a sign of "cowardice", according to the Associated Press. | |
Most wanted | Most wanted |
The US Justice Department says Mr Coke is one of the world's most dangerous drug barons. He is accused of leading a gang called the Shower Posse and operating an international smuggling network. | |
Some residents have protested in defence of Mr Coke | |
He faces a life sentence if he is convicted on charges filed against him in New York. | |
The gang has also been blamed for numerous murders in Jamaica and the US. | The gang has also been blamed for numerous murders in Jamaica and the US. |
Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding said earlier this week that he was prepared to send Mr Coke to the US on drugs and weapons trafficking charges. | Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding said earlier this week that he was prepared to send Mr Coke to the US on drugs and weapons trafficking charges. |
The decision reversed nine months of opposition to his extradition. | The decision reversed nine months of opposition to his extradition. |
Mr Golding had argued that the evidence against Mr Coke was obtained illegally by intercepting mobile telephone calls. | Mr Golding had argued that the evidence against Mr Coke was obtained illegally by intercepting mobile telephone calls. |
But he changed his mind in the face of growing public discontent, and questions about his possible ties to Mr Coke. | But he changed his mind in the face of growing public discontent, and questions about his possible ties to Mr Coke. |
He apologised to the nation and admitted he had mishandled the case. | He apologised to the nation and admitted he had mishandled the case. |
The US and UK have warned travellers about possible violence and disorder in Kingston because of the situation. | The US and UK have warned travellers about possible violence and disorder in Kingston because of the situation. |