Senegal police free key Wade opponent without charge

DAKAR (AFP) - Senegal police on Monday released a coordinator of the protest movement against President Abdoulaye Wade's controversial bid for a third term, the activist told AFP after two days in custody.

Alioune Tine, a prominent member of the African Assembly for the Defence of Human Rights (RADDHO), said he was freed without being charged.

Tine is a coordinator of the June 23 Movement (M23) that unites opposition groups in protest against Wade's presidential candidacy, which they say is illegal.

"I still don't know what they accused me of," Tine told AFP by telephone, adding police had asked him "many questions on the demonstrations" planned by M23.

The movement had organised last Friday's anti-Wade protest that erupted in violence when the country's highest court ruled that the president may contest a third term in February elections.

A policeman was killed in the ensuing clashes.

Security forces shot dead two people in the northern city of Podor Monday in fresh demonstrations against the court ruling.

M23 has called for a mass protest in the capital Dakar on Tuesday.