NewzVille International
Supporters of former Chad Prime Minister Succes Masra protested in N’Djamena on Saturday following his sentencing to 20 years in prison for hate speech, xenophobia, and inciting a massacre.
Masra, a prominent opposition leader and vocal critic of President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno, was convicted for his involvement in inter-communal violence that resulted in the deaths of 42 people—mostly women and children—in Mandakao on May 14.
In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of approximately 1.5 million euros. Masra’s lawyers condemned the verdict, describing the trial as politically motivated and lacking sufficient evidence. He was arrested two days after the violence and faced trial alongside nearly 70 others.
Following the verdict, protesters affiliated with Masra’s Transformers Party gathered in protest and announced Bedoumra Kordje as the party’s interim leader.
