Media: Rebels in Burkina Faso free convicted general

Burkina Faso Security ForcesMOSCOW, Jan 24Alleged military rebels in Burkina Faso released from prison General Gilbert Diendere, who was convicted by the authorities in 2015 of attempting a coup, reports the pan-African portal LSI Africa. Earlier, the publication reported that the family of President Roche Marc Kabore left Burkina Faso. Military rebels, according to media reports, demanded the resignation of the president. The leader himself is allegedly under the protection of the gendarmerie forces. Eyewitnesses told the media that on Sunday evening, gunfire was heard near the presidential residence, and helicopters were seen in the sky. «General Gilbert Diendere left his cell when he was «liberated» by the rebels. — the portal says on Twitter. Earlier, the President of Burkina Faso, by his decree, imposed a curfew throughout the country «until further notice.» It is valid from 20.00 (23.00 Moscow time) to 5.30 (8.30 Moscow time). Burkina Faso's Ministry of Education later announced that schools would be closed across the country on Monday and Tuesday due to «unsafe conditions» and the activity of «dissatisfied people in the barracks.» The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc urged the military to maintain a «republican stance» and maintain dialogue with the authorities. Radio RFI previously reported that intense gunfire was heard on Sunday morning in two military camps in the capital of Burkina Faso. One of them houses the prison where General Gilbert Diendere, who was convicted of attempting a coup in 2015, was kept. Local media also reported on the shooting in the city of Kaya. The government confirmed the shooting in the capital, but denied reports of a power grab by the army. Minister of the Armed Forces Barthelemy Simpore denied the information about the detention of the President and said that the situation in the country is under control. The NetBlocks organization, which analyzes the operation of the World Wide Web, indicated that the country was experiencing an Internet outage. country