Sierra Leone court jails 23 opposition party members

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone

A Sierra Leone court on Thursday announced jail time for 23 opposition party members ahead of an election rerun.

The All People's Congress (APC) officials were remanded after a skirmish last month with supporters of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in Hamilton village, in the outskirts of the capital Freetown.

The opposition party members were charged with damaging properties worth $50,000 which belonged to SLPP member Josephine Jackson.

Jackson is the ruling party candidate for by-election in the village slated for Aug. 24.

Last year, APC member Kadie Davies won the election, but it was called off in May this year after complaints of fraud and irregularities.

Ten other opposition party MPs also lost their seats and were replaced by the SLPP candidates.