/ 17 March 2001

MASS GRAVE FOUND NEAR BRAZZAVILLE

MASS graves crammed with the remains of people believed “executed by elements of the security forces” between 1998 and 1999 have been discovered near the Congolese capital Brazzaville, a local rights group said. The independent Congolese Observers of Human Rights (OCDH) said the dead, found 80km south of Brazzaville, were the victims of “extra-judicial executions” carried out during clashes between government troops and a faction loyal to former president Bernard Kolelas. It was not immediately clear how many bodies were found. – AFP