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Government releases opposition leader

    ABIDJAN

    Guinea-Bissau's authorities on Friday released the head of the opposition Socialist Alliance of Guinea-Bissau, Fernando Gomes, who had been detained since 2 February, news organisations reported.

    Gomes, who was detained after being accused by the government of misappropriating a donation of 50,000 euros (about US $44,000) while he headed the country's human rights league, was released on bail, the Portuguese news agency, Lusa, reported.

    Lusa reported the government as saying that there was "clear evidence" of embezzlement, whereas Gomes's party said the matter was a "product of political persecution". The league's current vice-president, Joao Vaz Mane, was also detained and released on 1 February on bail in connection with the same accusation.

    On Tuesday, rights watchdog Amnesty International called for Gomes' unconditional release, stating that neither the foreign donor nor the league had complained about the alleged misappropriation.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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