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In Chad trials are due to have begun inside a prison for around 400 protesters who were arrested last month during pro-democracy demonstrations.
Dozens of people were killed during the protests – rights groups said they were shot by the security forces.
Those arrested are being held in a remote prison, and lawyers have gone on strike to protest against their alleged mistreatment.
It’s impossible to know whether the trials have actually begun – because they are taking place inside a maximum security prison in the Chadian desert hundreds of kilometres away from the capital, N’djamena.
Defence lawyers can’t reach their clients and have now decided to stop attending any trials to protest against the mistreatment of the detainees.
The government says the 400 people going on trial orchestrated violence during last month’s protests against military rule.
Officials said 50 demonstrators died but rights groups say the number is at least double that.
They accuse the security forces of shooting them dead and have called for an international inquiry.