Sierra Leone court grants protesters bail

A Sierra Leone court has granted bail to 14 opposition supporters after they took part in New Year's Eve protests over the arrest of former Defence Minister Alfred Conteh. He is accused of corruption over the procurement of military vehicles, uniforms and rice in a contract reported to be worth $10m. A report on the News24 site notes that Conteh was detained on 28 December by investigators in charge of a sprawling graft probe but was released on bail last week. Following the arrest, police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters in the capital Freetown last week and dozens were detained. The suspects face charges including disorderly behaviour, riotous conduct, throwing missiles and threatening language. The Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption Commission last week also questioned the Housing Minister Dennis Sandy and a former ambassador to Iran, Alimamay Kamara, over the graft case.

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