Dakar - Senegalese police said on Tuesday that they had arrested 33 people after a violent protest a day earlier by devout Muslims against the detention of their religious leader for alleged murder.
"Yesterday (Monday) there were groups of individuals who descended into the streets of Dakar. As they advanced they vandalised many goods, both private and public," said police spokesperson Alioune Ndiaye at a press conference.
He said three people were injured, including two police officers, and 33 people arrested for "vandalism, public disturbance, theft with violence or gathering on a public road".
"The arrests have not finished, investigations are ongoing," said Ndiaye.
He said the majority of those arrested admitted to being disciples of Cheikh Bethio Thioune, a prominent leader of the Mouride brotherhood, one of four Sufi brotherhoods followed in the 95-percent Muslim nation.
Thioune was arrested on April 23 after the death of two of his disciples during a brawl at his house the previous evening. Their bodies were found buried in the nearby bush.
He was charged with complicity to murder along with several of his followers.
On Monday, his followers sowed panic in the capital, smashing up cars, setting some on fire and sending traders and pedestrians fleeing.
Ndiaye said 127 cars and four buses had been damaged.
To prevent further violence, security forces have been deployed in the capital and will remain in place "until further notice", said Ndiaye. - Sapa-AFP
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