Tanzania arrests 130 people as government cracks down on dissent

Tanzanian police have arrested 130 people for "inciting criminal acts", ​they said on Thursday, as ‌part of efforts to contain dissent after a ban on all political rallies, Report informs via Reuters.

Police said ​in a statement that they ​were working to track down ⁠other suspects.

Before the ban on rallies, ​announced by the interior minister ​on June 26, protesters had planned to gather on the July 7 public holiday ​to call for democratic reforms ​and justice for people killed in election violence ‌last ⁠year.

Heavy security deployments prevented the protests from happening.

A government-appointed commission of inquiry said in April that at least ​518 ​people were ⁠killed in the election violence, which was driven ​by the exclusion of leading ​opposition ⁠candidates.

Tanzanian authorities have denied allegations by human rights groups that the security ⁠services ​used excessive force ​during the election unrest.