US pushes plan to disarm Hamas and rebuild Gaza
An Ivory Coast court has sentenced 32 people to three years in prison for taking part in banned protests held earlier this month, just days before the country’s presidential election. The verdict was delivered on Tuesday, four days before the vote, as tensions rise between the government and opposition supporters. The protests were organized after opposition leaders Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam were barred from running against President Alassane Ouattara, who is seeking a fourth term at age 83. The defendants were convicted of “disturbing public order” and “assembling on public roadways.” Last week, about 30 other protesters received similar sentences. Authorities have banned all demonstrations, citing threats to public safety. Public prosecutor Oumar Braman Kone said some protests amounted to “acts of terrorism” and argued that “the freedom to demonstrate cannot be confused with disorder.” Defence lawyers argued there […]
