A deputy mayor in Ivory Coast who was arrested on January 19 and placed in a paramilitary police camp is in a "critical condition", the opposition Rally of Republicans (RDR) claimed Sunday.
RDR spokesman Ali Keita said that Amara Sidibe, the deputy mayor of Anyama, just north of Abidjan, had before his arrest been suffering heart problems, "which have intensified in prison."
Quoting family members, Keita added: "He is in a critical condition. He needs to be hospitalized."
Keita said the reasons for Sidibe's arrest remained unclear.
"He was first accused of having a cache of arms at his home, but when a thorough search by the security forces turned up only one weapon for which he has a license, he was accused of supplying 30 minibuses to help assailants flee the country."
Keita was referring to those behind a failed coup on the night of January 7, which government ministers have implied was plotted in neighboring countries and carried out by supporters of RDR leader Alassane Ouattara.
Keita said Sidibe had not had access to a lawyer since his arrest.
The mayor of Anyama, Amidou Sylla, also a RDR member, was arrested on January 24 and taken to an unknown destination.
The RDR boycotted legislative elections held in December and January after Ouattara was excluded from standing when his nationality was challenged -- ABIDJAN (AFP)
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