Prisoners in Malawi riot over presidential pardons

Published November 20, 2014

Officials say rioting prisoners in Malawi briefly stalled the release of convicts who had been granted presidential pardons.

Two days after President Joyce Banda pardoned 377 prisoners to mark the southern African nation's 48th independence anniversary, prisoners at Zomba Central Prison just outside the commercial hub of Blantyre on Sunday disrupted the release of 34 of those pardoned. Prisoners shouted to reporters outside the prison that one of those pardoned was a rapist and another a murderer.

Those convicted of serious crimes are not usually eligible for pardons. Banda's spokesman, Steve Nhlane, said Sunday that the president was unaware of any serious criminals on her pardon list.

Police helped prison guards quell the riot. Prison spokesman Evance Phiri said later that the 34 who had been pardoned were eventually released.

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