Dozens feared dead in Tanzania protests over election decried as sham by critics

"Activists conducting independent tallies of the casualties said they had recorded more than 100 dead. Roland Ebole, a researcher with Amnesty International, said the prominent rights organization had received reports that police had killed dozens in at least nine regions across Tanzania. Amnesty said they could not directly verify the numbers due to challenges in getting information from inside the country."

"Protests began on Wednesday after the polls opened. Police responded with tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds. "We cannot verify the actual figure of the dead and injured so far because most are going to public hospitals," said Tito Magoti, a human rights lawyer from Tanzania. "We record what we get from the people, but the figures we have so far do not look so good.""

Thousands of people protested across Tanzania's biggest cities and towns after presidential actions barred two main opponents from running. Activists conducting independent tallies reported more than 100 dead. Amnesty International received reports that police killed dozens in at least nine regions but could not directly verify numbers due to information challenges. Police used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds. A human rights lawyer said most casualties were taken to public hospitals and available figures likely understate the toll. Opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been on trial for treason since April and was denied bail; Chadema and ACT-Wazalendo were barred or had candidates disqualified.

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