8 killed in second Brazil prison clashOctober 18, 2016 - 11:25 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - At least eight inmates have died at a prison in the city of Porto Velho in north-western Brazil, according to BBC News. The prisoners died from smoke inhalation after fellow inmates set mattresses alight in the Enio dos Santos jail in Rondonia state. The prison director said the clash was set off by the transfer of the leader of a criminal gang to the jail, which is controlled by a rival gang. Officials said there could be a link to a similar incident in Roraima state. There, 10 inmates died in clashes on Sunday between a gang calling itself First Command of the Capital, or PCC, and their rivals, Comando Vermelho (Red Command), the state authorities said. Police initially said 25 inmates had been killed, but the figure was later revised down. The incident in Roraima happened during visiting hours. About 100 visitors were taken hostage and later freed. Police said they had regained control of both jails. Brazil has the world's fourth largest prison population, with more than 620,000 inmates. The PCC is a powerful criminal gang first established in a Sao Paulo prison in 1993. It has since expanded to become a powerful organisation which engages in drug trafficking far beyond the prison walls. Its members frequently clash with those of the Comando Vermelho, a gang originally founded in Rio de Janeiro. Many of the most powerful gang leaders, with reputations for violence and brutality, are often moved from jails far away from their home states but they are still able to run their criminal network from inside prison, says the BBC's Wyre Davis in Rio de Janeiro. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |