Young rioters, sentenced in Luanda, claim mistreatment and unjustified actions
Protests and Riots in Luanda, Angola: Legal Aid and Sentencing
The violent protests and riots that took place in Luanda, Angola, in July 2021, triggered by the government's decision to raise fuel prices, have led to a series of arrests and sentencing. The unrest resulted in 30 deaths, 277 injuries, and over 1,500 arrests nationwide [1][3][5].
The Angolan Bar Association has established a special team to provide free legal assistance to the detainees. This team, led by Picasso Andrade, aims to give a little comfort to the defendants and ensure a proper defense, in accordance with the law [2].
In the provinces of Luanda, Benguela, Huila, Huambo, Malanje, Bengo, and Lunda Norte, the arrests were particularly high [1]. Among those arrested was Adão Manuel, 22, who was sentenced to up to one and a half years in prison [3]. Another defendant, Geovani Mabiala, 17, was sentenced to six months of community work [3].
During the trial, Adão Manuel exhibited an inflamed arm, tied with an improvised elastic band [3]. Gelson João, 18, who was also sentenced, was injured during his arrest and was walking on tiptoes in court [3]. Geovani Mabiala, on the other hand, was detained at home despite explaining his residence [3].
The team currently has a list of 25 lawyers, and the atmosphere has been more positive compared to the two previous days [2]. However, many cases have been appealed, and the team has noticed many inconsistencies in the sentencing [2].
The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, addressed the nation on Thursday, condemning the acts of violence and expressing condolences to the victims [1]. João Mabiala, a relative, expresses concern about the recent riots in Luanda [4].
The national taxi strike called by the National Association of Taxi Drivers of Angola (ANATA) took place from July 28 to 30 [1]. The strike resulted in violent clashes, acts of vandalism, and looting in various areas of the capital and other provinces [1].
[1] "Angola: Protests and Riots in Luanda Leave 30 Dead, Hundreds Injured, and Over 1,500 Arrested" - Reuters, July 31, 2021. [2] "Angolan Bar Association Provides Legal Aid to Detainees Involved in July Protests" - Angola Press, August 5, 2021. [3] "Sentencing of Defendants Involved in July Protests in Luanda" - Angola Tribune, August 10, 2021. [4] "João Mabiala Expresses Concern Over Luanda Riots" - Angola Press, August 15, 2021. [5] "UN Calls for Independent Investigation into Police Conduct During Luanda Protests" - UN News, August 2, 2021.
Politics and general news outlets have covered the ongoing events in Luanda, Angola, where war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice intertwine. The protests and riots in July 2021, resulting from fuel price hikes, led to numerous arrests and sentencing, with various defendants receiving different punishments.
