Six dead in prison riot in north-eastern Brazil

Six dead in prison riot in north-eastern Brazil

2011-02-09 01:29:34 GMT+7 (ICT)

BRASILIA, BRAZIL (BNO NEWS) -- Brazilian authorities on Tuesday confirmed that six individuals died during a prison riot in the north-eastern state of Maranhao, the state-run EBC news agency reported.

The riots erupted on late Monday at a prison approximately 330 kilometers from the capital city of Maranhao, Sao Luiz. Six inmates were killed during the fighting that followed a failed escape.

The six victims were taken hostage by other prisoners after the unsuccessful prison break. According to prison authorities, those killed were imprisoned on pedophilia or rape charges.

The inmates rebellion lasted for hours as negotiations between police forces and rioters took place until Tuesday morning. The riots began at about 10:00 p.m. local time on Monday.

According to Maranhao authorities, the prisoners complained of the overcrowding at the prison as it is currently hosting around 90 inmates. The maximum capacity of the facility is of 40 prisoners.

During negotiations, inmates informed that six individuals were taken as hostages. They demanded the right to receive homemade food brought by relatives as well as one pound of marijuana to release them.

However, it was later informed that the six inmates had been killed and some of them decapitated and their heads hung on cell's bars. Negotiations are still ongoing as the standoff continues.

In November 2010, 18 inmates were killed during a prison riot in Maranhao state. Rival gangs engaged into a fight at the Pedrinhas prison in Sao Luis which is also overcrowded.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2011-02-09