Ivory Coast jails 32 people for protesting ahead of presidential vote

ABIDJAN - Just four days before tense presidential elections, an Ivory Coast court on Tuesday sentenced 32 people to three years in prison for participating in banned demonstrations this month.

The convictions came as the West African country's two main opposition parties have called on supporters to demonstrate to denounce the exclusion of their leaders, Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam.

They are seeking to oust Alassane Ouattara, 83, who is seeking for a fourth term.

The protesters were sentenced on charges of "disturbing public order" and "assembling on public roadways". Last week, around thirty other protesters received the same sentence.

Authorities have banned the demonstrations, citing the risk of public disorder.

Around 700 people have been arrested across the country for participating in banned marches or blockades, with public prosecutor Oumar Braman Kone claiming some protests amounted to "acts of terrorism".

"The freedom to demonstrate cannot be confused with disorder," he said Tuesday at the Abidjan court as he requested three-year prison sentences.

The defence cited a lack of evidence of disturbances, while all the defendants denied participating in the 11 October demonstration in Abidjan, which was quickly dispersed with tear gas.

Defence lawyers said they would appeal.

For the past week, roadblocks and attempted marches have been staged in several cities, mostly in former opposition strongholds in the south and west.

Three people have died across the country: two protesters and a police officer.

On Monday, a building of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was set on fire in the capital Yamoussoukro.