Maputo, 15 May (AIM) – Mozambique’s National Prison Service (SERNAP) on Friday announced the death of Umberto Sartori, the Italian businessman who had been arrested last April accused of drug trafficking, money laundering and forgery.
Sartori is the owner of the Maputo beachfront hotel and restaurant, Kaya-Kwanga. He was arrested with three other individuals, also accused of drug trafficking, money laundering and forgery.
The three others arrested were named as Manzar Saed Abbas; Tharmomed Valay Mahomed, better known as Shabir; and his son, Anas Tharmomed. During the searches, the authorities seized a pistol, an AK-47 assault rifle, a hunting gun, assorted ammunition, computers, mobile phone and various documents.
According to SERNAP statement, Sartori was found dead on the floor at Maputo Top Security prison (colloquially known as B.O).
The deceased had been detained since April 21st of this year, accused of trafficking, “document forgery, and use of forged documents, tax fraud, money laundering, and other illegal acts.”
During his first days in prison, SERNAP says, Sartori refused to eat ” and this hunger strike situation was already known to the family, the lawyer, and the private doctor, and was reported to the prison authorities as soon as the behavior was noticed.”
“The government, through SERNAP, offered its condolences to the family, while National Criminal Investigation Service (Sernic) is completing the technical investigations in the cell where the businessman was being held in isolation”, reads the document.
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