Togo’s opposition leader claims police block attempted protest by striking him with baton

Togo opposition leader claims police brutality

LOME, Togo — Togo’s opposition leader claims police tried to stop him from leading protesters through a police blockade in their attempt to protest the alleged rigging of this year’s presidential election.

Jean-Pierre Fabre says he and his supporters arrived at a church Wednesday where they planned to hold a prayer service and found the entrance blocked by a police truck.

He says that when his supporters decided to enter the church, a police officer pulled out a baton and struck him in the back.

Police spokesman Col. Yark Damehane denied Fabre was hit and said the prayer service was unauthorized.

Fabre’s supporters have accused Togo’s President Faure Gnassingbe of manipulating the outcome of the March poll by bribing voters with money and bags of rice.