Popular Angolan rapper Luaty Beirão has ended a hunger strike which he began on September 21, 2015. He is due to go on trial in mid-November, accused
ADVERTISEMENTPopular Angolan rapper Luaty Beirão has ended a hunger strike which he began on September 21, 2015.
He is due to go on trial in mid-November, accused along with 14 others, of rebelling against the President Jose dos Santos.
Angolan rapper Ikonoklasta Luaty Beiro – detained for 3months for criticising government.
https://t.co/49UAUq4uVQpic.twitter.com/BbgTSYb5u0
— ACCRA dot ALT (@Accradotalt) 20 Octobre 2015
The 33-year-old had been in hospital in Luanda for five days. He is said to have lost 15 kilos during the hunger strike.
The head of the regional office of Amnesty International, Deprose Muchena, described his condition as “critical”.
With SG of #Amnesty Salil Shetty earlier 2day at the #ICM2015.We must continue 2 build rights respecting societies pic.twitter.com/pQyW4cc2YT
— Deprose Muchena (@DeproseM) 6 Août 2015
Luaty Beirão was arrested on June 20 along with 14 other campaigners. They say they were exercising their right to freedom of expression by demanding that the president resign.
They also demanded better living conditions. Angola is suffering the consequences of the global drop in petrol prices.