Cablegate: Gdrc Releases More Prisoners From Makala

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS KINSHASA 008416

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL CG
SUBJECT: GDRC RELEASES MORE PRISONERS FROM MAKALA

REF: A. KINSHASA 8108
B. KINSHASA 8224

1. PROSECUTOR GENERAL LUHONGE KABINDA RELEASED 170 PRISONERS
FROM MAKALA CENTRAL PRISON ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16.
ALTHOUGH SOME WERE CIVILIANS, MOST OF THOSE RELEASED WERE
REPORTEDLY POLICEMEN WHO HAD BEEN ARRESTED FOR VARIOUS TYPES
OF MALFEASANCE. LUHONGE PROMISED THE RELEASE, LATER THIS
WEEK, OF SOME SOLDIERS WHO REMAIN BEHIND BARS. HOWEVER, HE
SAID THAT FIRST THE MILITARY AUTHORITIES WOULD HAVE TO
IDENTIFY AN APPROPRIATE LOCATION FOR THEIR "RE-INTEGRATION."

2. THESE LATEST 170 FOLLOW CLOSELY ON THE 509 PRISONERS FREED
EARLIER THIS MONTH (REF A), AND THE POLITICAL PRISONERS
LIBERATED A FEW DAYS LATER (REF B). ALTHOUGH AUTHORITIES
HAVE PROVIDED NO OFFICIAL EXPLANATION FOR THIS LATEST
RELEASE, MOST KINSHASA RESIDENTS CHALK IT UP TO "PRESIDENTIAL
BENEVOLENCE" DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON. THE PROSECUTOR
GENERAL CLAIMED TO HAVE RELEASED THE 509 PRISONERS IN
COMMEMORATION OF KABILA'S BIRTHDAY.
SWING

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