Togo releases dozens detained in anti-government protests
AI- Generated Image
More than 50 people detained during anti-government protests in Togo last week have been released, while others remain in custody, the public prosecutor said.
Dozens of protesters were dispersed with tear gas overnight from June 5 to 6 in several parts of the capital Lome, including near the presidential palace.
They had gathered in response to a call by a popular rapper, Aamron, to denounce arrests of dissenting voices, rising electricity prices and constitutional changes by the government of President Faure Gnassingbe, in power since 2005.
Protests have been banned in Togo since 2022, following a deadly attack at Lome's main market, though public meetings are still allowed.
"A total of 56 people were released" by the government on "charges deemed light", public prosecutor Talaka Mawama said in a televised statement on Monday.
However, "the custody period for some of those arrested has been extended to allow for certain necessary investigative steps", he added.
"These people will also be presented to the prosecutor's office in the coming hours."
The prosecutor said the demonstrations "are clearly part of a revolt against the institutions of the republic".
The "Hands Off My Constitution" coalition of opposition parties and civic groups earlier told AFP it "strongly condemns the mass and arbitrary arrests" made on June 5 and 6.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Good News: You May Be Richer Than You Think
FinanceAdvisors.com
Undo
Calls for protests intensified after Aamron, whose real name is Essowe Tchalla, reappeared in a video 10 days after he was arrested from his home in the capital Lome on May 26.
In the hours leading to his arrest, he had joined others in calling for the protests.
But in the video, he apologised to the president and said he was in a psychiatric hospital for what he described as "severe depression".
The rapper is still being held in the hospital, one of his lawyers, Celestin Agbogan, told reporters Monday, adding "there are no legal proceedings against Aamron".
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
No-vending zone: Illegal traders removed from Gurgaon's MG Road in joint operation
Gurgaon: The civic authorities on Tuesday launched a joint anti-encroachment drive on MG Road cracking down on illegal street vendors and unauthorised carts that have long hindered pedestrian movement and road safety along this key corridor. Two enforcement teams from GMDA and four teams from MCG, numbering around 30 staffers, were deployed to target areas near MG Metro Station, Heritage City, IFFCO Chowk and Beverly Park 1. Over 40 illegal carts were removed and vendors were instructed to cease operations. MG Road — which connects key commercial hubs, metro stations and residential complexes across a 2.5km stretch — is a no-vending zone and no carts or other vendors are allowed to operate on this stretch, according to the GMDA officials. The enforcement drive came after concerns were raised by residents and commuters regarding persistent encroachments despite the ongoing streetscaping efforts on MG Road, which is being carried out by the GMDA at a cost of Rs 11.3 crore. TOI reported on May 30 that encroached footpaths and cycle tracks undermined the purpose of the streetscaping project on MG Road. Nodal officer for encroachment and DTP at GMDA RS Batth said, "While the encroachments have been largely temporary, regular drives will continue to ensure MG Road remains free of illegal carts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Pinga-Pinga e HBP? Tome isso 1x ao dia se tem mais de 40 anos Portal Saúde do Homem Clique aqui Undo We will also investigate reports of local mafias exploiting cart owners by charging fees for operating illegally. Such activities will not be tolerated." Meanwhile, residents have taken this development with a pinch of salt. "We have seen similar drives in the past, but within hours — not days — things go back to square one. While we do welcome the action, what we really need is a lasting solution that ensures pedestrian safety and restores the proper functionality of this road," said RWA president of Essel Towers Dr Rajeev Sinha. Earlier, GMDA CEO Shyamal Misra convened a meeting with senior officials, including MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya, to discuss challenges faced on MG Road, with a particular focus on illegal vending and encroachment. Subsequently, GMDA, in coordination with MCG and Gurgaon Traffic Police, carried out the joint operation.
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
BitLife speed demon challenge guide
Image via Bit Life In order to complete the speed demon challenge in BitLife, the players are required to complete a series of high-risk criminal tasks in the game within a single life, which tests the patience and daring of the players. This guide will cover 5 major objectives, including setting up the right character, stealing and driving cars recklessly, evading the police, and, in the end, performing the bank robbery. The guide will also mention all the tools and strategic planning required to perform the speed demon challenge. Speed demon challenge objectives explained There are 5 main objectives to check off for completing the Speed Demon Challenge in one character's life: Be born male in Los Angeles Steal five or more cars Drive fast in downtown LA. Evade the police during a chase Successfully rob a bank When a player successfully completes all five objectives, they earn the Speed Demon title. How to complete Bitlife's Speed Demon Challenge! Here are the following 5 objectives in brief that the players need to complete in order to earn the Speed Demon title: Objective 1: Character Creation Start by creating a male character born in Los Angeles, USA. No need to focus on stats, but choosing the Criminal Special Talent helps with crime-related tasks. A premium Mafia Pack is optional but not mandatory. Objective 2: stealing cars Navigate to Activities—Crime—Grand Theft Auto, and steal at least five cars. If caught or unsuccessful, age up a year and retry quietly. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Keep at least one car intact for the next phase. Objective 3: High-speed driving Use a stolen vehicle from Assets—Drive, then select 'over the speed limit' while choosing downtown LA. Driving alone increases success chances. Objective 4: evading police Driving fast downtown should prompt a police chase. Attempt to shake them off. If caught or escape fails, restarting the app or aging up can reset heat. Persistence and timing are critical. Objective 5: Bank robbery Finish by selecting Activities - Crime - Bank Robbery. Choose a bank, weapon, and disguise according to preference. Success relies on chance. If you fail, retry by restarting or trying later in life. The speed demon challenge is very thrilling and interesting, which requires a player to build strategies and complete the 5 main objectives without dying. This makes it very difficult and requires patience to finish. Though some elements depend on luck, through the above guide the players can improve their chance of winning by the step-by-step approach. As mentioned above, the players need to meet all five main objectives to secure their speed demon title.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
ICE sparks uproar after storming child's birthday, believing it was a dangerous Tren de Aragua gang assembly
A lot of people were arrested, even kids, but none of them were gang members, and the raid ended up turning the celebration into a nightmare. For months, Trump, border czar Tom Homan, and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller have been deporting as many individuals as they can while ICE has been subjecting innocent people to traumatising arrests. Multitudes were upset, scared, and confused during the raid, which led to a lot of criticism of ICE and the ways the Trump administration does things. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Düsseldorf: Geheime Methode gegen Arthrose im Knie Wellnee Mehr erfahren Undo Why did ICE raid the birthday party? Federal immigration officers break up a birthday party on the grounds that it was a Tren de Aragua gathering. Their claims are still unsupported by any evidence. Apparently, none of them were in a gang or had a history of crime. ALSO READ: $1,000 for every baby? Trump rallies Dell, Uber & others to offer bonus — but only if his Beautiful Bill passes Live Events The Trump administration arrested dozens of people at five in the morning during a raid in Texas in March, as per a report by New Republic. Who was actually arrested? Two months later, according to The Texas Tribune, the "Tren de Aragua gathering" they busted was actually a birthday party, and none of the individuals they detained had any criminal histories or even gang affiliations. It is unclear whether all of the 47 people who were arrested, including nine children, were present at the birthday celebration. The Texas police and ICE officers who conducted the raid on the birthday celebration even threatened the families and their kids by attacking them with flash grenades. One of the arrested men claimed that he was celebrating his son's fifth birthday and his best friend's 28th birthday at a house they rented for the weekend when "we all started shouting that there were babies—'Babies, there's babies,'" he said, as quoted in a report by New Republic. ALSO READ: June's Strawberry moon is coming — here's exactly when to watch it and what it means for every zodiac sign Based on the widely disproved theory that members of Tren de Aragua have particular tattoos, ICE also profiled one of the partygoers for his ink. What's the fallout from this incident? The Tribune named 35 Venezuelans who are in custody, although ICE has declined to provide their names. Some were released with ankle monitors after weeks of ICE detention. Due to missing too many days of school, one of the kids was even expelled from school. In order to prevent future incidents, Muzaffar Chishti, head of the Migration Policy Institute, stressed the significance of challenging charges against suspected gang members. He maintained that if the accused member is denied the opportunity to challenge the claims, the subsequent individual will likewise suffer the same outcome. FAQs Was anyone at the party involved in a gang? No, ICE found no gang affiliations or criminal records for any of the individuals who were arrested. Why did ICE believe it was a gang gathering? They responded to a false tip and profiled guests based on tattoos and heritage.
