CONGO. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DROPS FORMER PREMIER'S DEATH SENTENCE

Congo’s National Assembly unanimously voted in favour of amnesty for former Brazzaville mayor and former prime minister, Bernard Kolelas . He had been sentenced to death five years previously for war crimes. All the criminal charges were dropped but Kolelas' victims could still press for other civil charges to get compensation. During the National Assembly debate, the justice minister hinted that other rebel leaders such as former President Pascal Lissouba could also benefit from the amnesty.