July 31, 2012 - 4:21 PM
CAIRO - A human rights lawyer says Sudanese forces used gunfire and tear gas to break up an anti-government protest in the southern Darfur city of Nyala, killing seven protesters, most of them students.
These are the first reported deaths in protests against government austerity measures in place since last month, raising the prices of basic commodities. Protests erupted in the capital, Khartoum, and other cities, but a government crackdown has largely subdued them.
The lawyer said the protests Tuesday turned violent after students joined transport workers on strike over the rising cost of fuel. He spoke from Nyala on condition of anonymity because he said he feared for his life.
The western region of Darfur has been torn by conflict since 2003, but the violence has tapered off.
News from © The Associated Press, 2012