Freetown, June 21 (Reuters) – At least one person was killed on Wednesday as violence broke out near the headquarters of Sierra Leone’s main opposition party, the All People's Congress (APC), just days before a crucial election in which President Julius Maada Bio is seeking a second and final term.
According to APC spokesperson Sidi Yahya Tunis, police forces opened fire on supporters who had gathered at the party headquarters, killing one. "We had asked our supporters to converge at our party headquarters. When they started coming, the police advanced and tried to disperse them," Tunis said.
Graphic videos circulating on social media showed civilians carrying an unconscious man, appearing to have been shot in the neck. Reuters has not yet verified the footage.
A mortuary in central Freetown confirmed it had received a body from the scene with gunshot wounds. Police have declined to comment on the incident, stating that further details would be provided at an upcoming press conference.
The unrest comes at a tense moment for Sierra Leone, where political tensions are escalating ahead of the national elections.
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