VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Commission of Inquiry into the December 5-6, 2024 riot at Montagne Posee Prison heard from four additional witnesses on Friday, including prison officers who gave accounts of beatings perpetrated by soldiers and other inmates, a hostage-taking incident, and the evacuation of injured prisoners to hospital. Chief Inspector Jocelyn Coopoosamy, Corporal Vanessa Louis, Corporal Vanessa Valmont, and Inspector Lucina Riaze provided testimony about the events of December 5-6, with Coopoosamy describing beatings by soldiers using batons and wooden planks that she attempted unsuccessfully to stop. The Commission has now heard from multiple witnesses describing a breakdown of order and systematic violence during the unrest.
The ongoing inquiry holds significant public interest as the most serious prison disturbance in recent Seychelles history raised serious questions about prisoner treatment, institutional discipline, and the coordination between prison services and other security forces. Allegations of excessive force by soldiers against inmates, if substantiated, would indicate violations of both national law and international human rights standards. For families of prisoners and the broader public, understanding exactly what occurred and who bears responsibility is essential for accountability and to prevent future incidents. The Commission’s findings will likely inform potential prosecutions and disciplinary actions.
Chief Inspector Coopoosamy, with 31 years of service and responsibility for the female prison and staff welfare, testified that she was temporarily assigned to the male prison on December 5 and confirmed being on duty at the administrative office when she heard loud noise from the male block. After reporting the disturbance to Deputy Commissioner Sam Dodin, she proceeded to the male block where she saw inmates throwing stones and demanding the removal of inmate Stephen Mondon from the holding cell. When she spoke to the inmate who had seized control, he refused to reassure other inmates, saying he was not okay, wanted to see his lawyer, and would not cooperate.
Coopoosamy described observing inmates burning mattresses while four officers were held hostage, later released. Firefighters extinguished the blaze and she remained at the gate for over an hour until police, PSSU, and military officers arrived. Some uninvolved inmates allegedly came forward, were handcuffed, and moved to the visitor area. Coopoosamy described seeing clothes and belongings scattered in corridors, with inmates upstairs allegedly beaten by soldiers as they were brought down. She confirmed severe beatings, attempted to intervene, but was told not to, and identified injured inmates including Richard Rosette and Francis Ernesta.
Corporal Louis, a rehabilitation officer since 2014, testified that she was called to Montagne Posee around 4pm on December 5 and saw officers moving between locations, attending a briefing led by Inspector Ivan Nicholas. Through monitors, she observed smoke, fire service officers arriving, and casualties being taken to ambulances. She reported hearing screams, seeing smoke, and witnessing a Nepalese officer bleeding. She noted that Sergeant Tonyette allegedly directed non-prison officers into the facility, contradicting his earlier testimony. Louis helped move injured inmates to the visitor area in heavy rain, confirming several had serious injuries.
The testimony reveals significant discrepancies between accounts given by different officers, which the Commission will need to reconcile as it establishes the facts of the disturbance.
