Luanda, Aug. 5, 2025 (Lusa) - The vice-president of the National Association of Taxi Drivers of Angola (ANATA), arrested last Thursday in Benguela for allegedly inciting violence, has begun his hearing before a judge in Luanda, announced his lawyer, calling for “justice”.

After the first questioning of Rodrigo Luciano Catimba, vice-president of ANATA, lawyer Jovete Domingos confirmed that the official suspect had been heard on Monday, saying that the defence was awaiting the judge's decision on the coercive measures to be applied.

“We are still waiting for the judge’s ruling, which could come at any moment. We will wait and trust in Angolan justice and state institutions,” the lawyer told journalists.

Rodrigo Luciano Catimba was arrested on Thursday in Benguela on suspicion of inciting violence, condoning crime, rebellion and terrorism, Angolan authorities announced.

On Monday, ANATA president Francisco Paciente, who also attended Catimba's first questioning, said that members of the association stand in solidarity with their vice-president and hope that justice will be done.

“We followed the hearing and we will trust that justice will be done. What we want is to see our colleague free. The lawyers are in charge of the case and we are here to follow it and show our solidarity with our brother,” he said.

“We will trust the institutions and the taxi drivers and society should wait calmly and we hope that he will be released,” he concluded.

Rodrigo Catimba's arrest came after three days of protests and riots in several Angolan provinces, following a taxi strike called by ANATA for 28, 29 and 30 July.

The latest figures from the police indicated 30 dead, 277 injured and more than 1,500 arrests in seven provinces, including Luanda, Benguela, Huíla, Huambo, Malanje, Bengo and Lunda Norte.

DAS/AYLS // AYLS

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