Central African Republic court sentences 17 ex-rebels to 8 years in prison

A court in Bangui, capital of Central African Republic, has sentenced 17 fighters of the ex-rebel group Seleka to eight years in prison with a fine of 250,000 CFA Francs (500 U.S. dollars) for involvement in acts of violence last month. In the judicial ruling released here Thursday, the judge said the defendants were guilty of robbery, destruction of other people's property and disruption of public order in Bangui's Boy- Rabe district, which was reportedly a stronghold of supporters of deposed president Francois Bozize. Two defendants were set free due to lack of evidence while an arrest warrant was issued for five others who had escaped. On Aug. 20, Seleka fighters launched a disarmament operation in Boy-Rabe district, where the move turned into a looting and murder spree. The government said at least 10 people were killed and several others injured. The country is still shadowed by insecurity after Seleka fighters overthrew Bozize in March. On Wednesday morning, employees of humanitarian organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Action Against Hunger (AFC) and Medecin Sans Frontiere (MSF) staged a protest in Bangui, denouncing the acts of violence perpetrated against humanitarian workers in the country. Last Saturday, two humanitarian workers of the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) were killed by Seleka fighters in Bozize's home region of Bossangoa. Bossangoa and Bouca, both north of Bangui, have been hit since the weekend by fighting between former armymen still loyal to Bozize and Seleka fighters. In a statement broadcast on national radio on Wednesday evening, presidential spokesman Guy Simplice Kodegue said around 100 people had been killed in the clashes and at least 40 others injured.