{The trial of Angolan anti-corruption activist Rafael Marques opened Tuesday with scuffles erupting between police and opposition supporters outside the court over a case that has highlighted allegations of a government crackdown on dissent.}
Marques is accused of defamation by several military generals after he published a book exposing alleged corruption, torture and other rights violations linked to the diamond mining industry.
Judge Adriano Cerveira told the packed courtroom that the trial would be held behind closed doors as allowed by law.
After the court was cleared, a small group of young activists chanted “free Rafael” and “imprison the generals” outside. Police made several arrests.
In his book, which was published in Portugal in 2011, Marques accused the generals of being behind torture and killings committed by soldiers and private guards hired to protect diamond concessions in the northeastern Lundas region.
The generals, including one of President Jose Eduardo dos Santos’ closest allies, are claiming $1.2 million in damages and Rafael could also face a year-long jail sentence.
“There is no link between the Angolan armed forces and the crimes exposed,” declared Joao Manuel, a lawyer for the generals.
The generals made a failed attempt to bring criminal defamation charges against the author in Portugal in 2013.
“My client is a civil rights defender fighting for the dignity of the population. He has to be found not guilty,” said Marques’ lawyer Luis Nascimento, who denounced the “baseless accusations” against his client.
Last week, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) published a report accusing the Angolan government of resorting to harassment and intimidation to suppress any opposition.
{{AFP}}
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