PRM and SERNIC agents accused of kidnapping citizen in Maputo

The Public Ministry (MP) accuses agents of the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) and the National Criminal Investigation Service (SERNIC), assigned to the directorates of the city and province of Maputo, along with the Kidnapping and Organized Crime Brigades, are accused of kidnapping a Mozambican citizen, allegedly involved in drug trafficking and sale.

A press release from the Public Prosecutor's Office cited by a national website indicates that the indictment refers to a case that occurred in 2021, in the Khongolote neighborhood, in the Municipality of Maputo, after a chase led by the defendants to that trafficker and which culminated with a car accident.

In this incursion the accused were not on a mission of service, but on a criminal mission, says the MP without indicating the number of agents involved in the case.

"They intended to seize goods, drugs and monetary values in the possession of the citizen, since she is engaged in trafficking and selling drugs, having threatened and physically assaulted her, using Makarov and AKM type firearms," says the MP.

According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, because they were operatives, these agents used privileged information for their own benefit, violating their professional principles and duties, as well as their commitment and oath to serve their country and the Mozambican State.

Following these facts, the Provincial Public Prosecutor's Office-Maputo filed a criminal case, with number 27/10/P/22, on February 14, 2022 (Monday), accusing these officers of aggravated robbery; drug trafficking and other illicit activities; kidnapping; criminal association; illegal possession of prohibited weapons; abusive entry into someone else's house; abuse of office or function; abandonment of victims; money laundering; document forgery; and use of a false document.

The accused have been detained since April 2021, having already been notified of the indictment. The MP adds that SERNIC initiated disciplinary proceedings, which culminated with the expulsion of the accused in July 2021.

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