The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), a Mozambican non-governmental organization, has sued the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) in the northern province of Nampula for violating human rights during the local elections held on 11 October last year.

The CDD statement accuses the PRM of having committed 17 crimes, of which four are homicides (all by shooting) and 13 are crimes of aggravated bodily harm.

According to the organization, the police "murdered four citizens in Nampula, namely Faizal João, Edrisse Alifo Ussene, Sabonete Saíde and Atibo Juma, and assaulted at least 13 people".

In a statement, the CDD claims to have gathered all the evidence proving the existence of victims of the PRM's actions in Nampula province.

"On the other hand, taking into account the competence of the Attorney General's Office (PGR) to carry out investigations on its own initiative, the CDD believes that other types of offenses could be charged in addition to those listed in the complaint," reads the document, quoted by the AIM.

In addition, the note explains that the complaint filed with the Nampula Provincial Prosecutor's Office aims to force the state, through the organs of the administration of justice, to hold accountable all the police officers who were involved in committing those crimes.

"The CDD is certain that, through the complaints made, if the Public Prosecutor's Office dedicates itself to the investigations, it may be able, in addition to the agents directly involved in the commission of criminal acts, to discover the existence of others and unveil the faces behind the so-called 'higher orders'," the note says.

The organization says it is willing to collaborate with the PGR to bring to justice the agents who "use the uniform and weapons of the state to oppress the Mozambican people, particularly during the electoral period".