Detained politicians refuse to leave prison

Seven politicians detained by authorities in Guinea-Bissau on suspicion of complicity with or support for last week’s attempt by General Ansumane Mane to take over the military have refused to leave the central police station where they are being held, a humanitarian source told IRIN on Tuesday. The men were among eight opposition politicians whom President Kumba Yala had instructed the security forces to place under house arrest. They had originally been detained following the clashes between Mane supporters and soldiers loyal to the government. One of the detainees agreed to leave the police station but the others remained, saying they feared for their safety, according to the source. He said they included the leader of the former ruling Partido africano para a independencia da Guine e Cabo Verde, Francisco Benante. They also include the head of the Alianza socialista guineense, Fernando Gomes, who used to head the country’s human rights league.