9 shot dead in Ivory Coast demo: Amnesty

ABIDJAN: At least nine demonstrators were shot dead Thursday when Ivory Coast police and troops fired on unarmed supporters of would-be president Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, Amnesty International said.

Amnesty's estimate for the death toll was close to one established by media, but much lower than a figure of 30 claimed by Ouattara's choice for prime minister, Guillaume Soro. The military has not issued its own number.

A spokesman for the International Committee for the the Red Cross (ICRC), which works with the Ivory Coast Red Cross, said health volunteers had treated at least 80 wounded people, but had no figure for the death toll.

"Eyewitnesses have told Amnesty International that at least nine unarmed protesters were killed today in Abidjan, during mass protests over a political deadlock following presidential elections," the rights watchdog said.

The witnesses told Amnesty that six people were killed when police loyal to incumbent president Laurent Gbagbo opened fire on a demonstration in the Abobo district as protesters marched towards state televison headquarters.

"Red Cross volunteers treated and evacated 80 people. We don't say how they were wounded but they are people hurt in today's clashes, we're not including accidents," said ICRC spokesman Kelnor Panglungtshang.