At least 10 protesters in Nigeria face a possible death sentence after they were charged with treason because of their participation in the recent demonstrations against the worst economic crisis in the country in years, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The protesters were brought before a court in the Nigerian capital Abuja yesterday and accused of acting during the protests "with the intention of destabilizing Nigeria... and intimidating the president". They pleaded not guilty and will remain in jail pending a bail hearing scheduled for Sept. 11. Among the suspects who are still at large is a British citizen.
According to the international human rights organization "Amnesty International" at least 22 protesters were shot dead by security forces during the demonstrations. The authorities deny this information. The Associated Press has confirmed at least three killings, with little known about the fate of hundreds of other arrested protesters.
Concerns are growing in Nigeria about human rights abuses under President Bola Tinubu, who was elected last year after promising positive change.
Protesters have been charged under Nigeria's penal code, which critics describe as one of the country's toughest laws, used by authorities to suppress dissent. The charge of treason is punishable by death.