Prisoners and guards clashed in a Congolese prison Thursday, one day after a group of inmates escaped from the facility.
Congolese police offices stand guard outside Kinshasa's jail, October 26, 2006
The prison director says at least nine inmates were injured, three of them seriously, as guards moved to quell a riot at the prison in Congo's capital Kinshasa.
Various sources near the jail reported hearing gunfire and smelling tear gas.
A VOA correspondent in Kinshasa says the riot broke out because of new restrictions on visitors trying to bring food to inmates.
As many as 14 prisoners escaped from the jail on Tuesday. Prison officials have not confirmed reports that the prisoners were convicted for roles in the 2001 assassination of former Congolese President Laurent Kabila.
One jail official said there were no signs of a breakout, and authorities are investigating how the inmates escaped.
The incidents have raised tension in Kinshasa as the Congolese voters prepare for Sunday's presidential run-off election.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
Related articles
- • Jean-Pierre Bemba Returns to DR Congo (August 1, 2018)
- • At least 30 dead after massacres in Ituri (March 2, 2018)
- • Botswana Urges Joseph Kabila to Step Down (February 26, 2018)
- • No elections in DR Congo in December without electronic voting machines: INEC (February 13, 2018)
- • DR Congo reach final of African Nations Championship (February 3, 2016)
- • Political tensions 'running high' in DR Congo ahead of 2016 elections (October 7, 2015)
- • Police Open Fire on Crowd Protesting Election Law Change (January 19, 2015)
- • 15 dead in football match stampede in Kinshasa (May 12, 2014)
- • Security Council extends UN mission, intervention force in DR Congo for one year (March 28, 2014)
- • Death toll in Lake Albert boat accident rises to 108 people (March 24, 2014)
- • M23 Rebels Kill, Rape Civilians in Eastern Congo: Human Rights Watch (July 22, 2013)
- • UN Security Council Condemns Latest M23 Attacks, Extends Sanctions on Rebels (November 28, 2012)
- • Thousands of Women March Against M23 Rebels in Kinshasa (November 24, 2012)
- • Protests Against M23 Rebels, Government and UN Spread (November 22, 2012)
- • Thousands Protest M23 Capture of Goma, Turn on Government and UN (November 21, 2012)
- • Police Investigate Former Prime Minister for Corruption (May 14, 2012)
- • TP Mazembe Reach Sixth Consecutive Champions League Group Stage (May 13, 2012)
- • Kony 2012 video director detained (March 16, 2012)
- • Opposition Supporters Step Up Attacks on Congolese Officials Abroad (February 28, 2012)
- • Tshisekedi Leaves 'House Arrest' to Meet German Ambassador (February 27, 2012)
- • Kabila's Senior Advisor Katumba Mwanke Dies in Plane Crash (February 12, 2012)
- • Tshisekedi's Call for General Strike Largely Ignored (January 31, 2012)
- • Tshisekedi Says He Will Form His Government Next Week (January 21, 2012)
- • Tshisekedi Stages Self-Inauguration at Home (December 23, 2011)
- • Tshisekedi Says He Is President-Elect, Asks Security Forces to Arrest Kabila (December 18, 2011)
- • Joseph Kabila Wins Presidential Election (December 9, 2011)
- • Presidential Election Results Delayed 48 Hours (December 6, 2011)
- • Catholic Church Calls for Calm as Elections Results Are Published (December 4, 2011)
- • Vote Counting Underway after Mostly Peaceful Elections (November 29, 2011)
- • Officials Cancel Final Campaign Rallies in Kinshasa after Clashes (November 26, 2011)
