More than 80 recently detained opposition demonstrators have died in mysterious circumstances in a prison in the north of the country, the government daily Noticias reported Friday.
The inmates died in Montepuez, 1,650 kilometers (1,000 miles) north of Maputo, late on November 21, Radio Mozambique said, quoting police sources. Mozambican Prime Minister Pascoal Mocumbi announced on Thursday that between 50 and 70 prisoners had died "in a strange manner".
He said that there had been no signs of violence.
International experts from the United Nations, European Union and the Commonwealth have been invited to help with an investigation into the deaths.
District administrator Germano Joaquim told Noticias that the prisoners died in police cells and were all opposition demonstrators arrested during violent protests two weeks ago against last December's election results.
Radio Mozambique, quoting police sources, reported 75 deaths.
Montepuez was the scene of the worst violence from protests.
At least 30 people died in Montepuez, 1,650 kilometers (1,000 miles) north of Maputo, during three days of clashes between police and some 500 armed supporters of the opposition Mozambique National Resistance (RENAMO) party of former rebels.
A total of 40 people died and at least 150 were injured nationwide during the protests over the December 1999 election, which RENAMO claims was rigged despite a Supreme Court ruling declaring the balloting orderly.
A team of local investigators is already in Montepuez and were due to be joined by seven South African pathologists Friday -- MAPUTO (AFP)
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