AI: Over 200 people illegally detained, tortured in Ivory CoastOctober 26, 2012 - 17:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Police and soldiers in Ivory Coast have illegally detained and tortured more than 200 people including supporters of former President Laurent Gbagbo, following a series of armed attacks that began in August, Amnesty International said on Friday, Oct 26, according to Reuters. UN investigators said earlier this month that exiled members of Gbagbo's former government and military living in neighboring Ghana were behind the raids, which have targeted police and army installations as well as key infrastructure. Gbagbo is awaiting trial in The Hague accused of crimes against humanity related to a brief war last year that erupted after he refused to accept the election victory of rival Alassane Ouattara in a late 2010 poll. More than 3,000 people were killed in the conflict. "While acknowledging that the ... government is facing a wave of attacks, we are very worried that the current arrests and repression stem from a willingness for reprisals and revenge," Amnesty West Africa researcher Gaetan Mootoo said. Ivory Coast's government rejected the accusations made in a statement released by Amnesty on Friday. "These are not at all the practices of our government. We do things legally," government spokesman Bruno Kone told Reuters. "There have been attacks, and it is our mission to protect Ivorian citizens and stop this. This is what we are doing." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Viva-MTS: Tech solutions to modernize infrastructure of border village The border village has been the focus of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Values since 2015. Ucom's fixed network launched in Artashat To mark this occasion, the company has introduced a special offer exclusively for Artashat residents. “By Your Side”: IDBank's new support program for displaced Artsakh citizens IDBank is launching a long-term social support program for forcibly displaced Artsakh residents. The Power of One Dram to benefit Road of Life charity The companies inform that the May beneficiary of The Power of One Dram is the “Road of Life” charitable organization. |