Police in Madagascar have shot dead at least 14 people and wounded 28 others after opening fire on a crowd of protesters angered at the kidnapping of an albino child.
Albinos are considered to have mystical powers by many in Madagascar, and they are often kidnapped or hunted for their body parts to bring good luck.
Some believe that having sex with an albino woman can also cure AIDS.
Angry villagers were calling for the heads of the four suspects arrested last week over the kidnap of the albino in the Southeastern town of Ikongo.
When they tried to storm the Police station, officers opened fire, striking dozens.
‘The gendarmes… fired on the crowd,’ local lawmaker Jean-Brunelle Razafintsiandraofa in the southeastern town of Ikongo told AFP.
Local doctor Tango Oscar Toky said ‘nine people died on the spot’ and another five died later in hospital.
