Four dead in northern Togo after imam arrested

Two teenagers were among four people killed in violence in Togo's second city after an imam close to the main opposition was arrested, the government and a rights group said on Tuesday.

"Two soldiers on guard duty at the home of a VIP were lynched and executed and their weapons and ammunition were taken," the government said in a statement.

"A young person also died and about 20 other civilians and members of the security forces were injured," it added.

Amnesty International's country representative Aime Adi told AFP the young person killed was an apprentice upholsterer and aged 16 or 17.

A second youth, 17, was "shot in the head", he added.

"Five police vehicles arrived to arrest Alpha Alassane, a very well-known imam in the city," he added.

"The population felt targeted and took to the streets."

Clashes lasted throughout the night until calm was restored but the authorities have been warned of renewed protests if Alassane is not freed on Tuesday morning.

SOURCE: NEWS24
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