CONAKRY, Guinea — Street clashes broke out Sunday in the Guinean industrial town of Fria, home to RusAl's huge alumina refinery, after local youths armed with knives and guns attacked suspected black market fuel salesmen, witnesses and officials said.
At least 20 people were injured in the fighting, which ran for several hours before regional security forces arrived in the afternoon to break it up, witnesses said.
"Some youths … were angry at some traders who, according to them, were selling diesel stolen from the refinery on the black market," a resident said on condition of anonymity. "Several of them were attacked and the merchants retaliated."
The 630,000-ton per year refinery in Fria, owned by RusAl, the world's largest aluminum producer, has been closed since April following a labor dispute.
(Reuters)
Related articles:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
