Woman dies in PRM cell in Boquisso: family questions suicide version

A woman was found dead in a cell at the Police of the Republic of Mozambique (PRM) in Boquisso, hours after being detained on suspicion of involvement in the death of her husband, a soldier. The family disputes the official version, raising doubts about the circumstances of the incident.

The victim, Aida Sérgio, was initially detained in the Santa Isabel neighborhood on Sunday, shortly after her husband's death. Aida's father reports that the young woman was summoned to the police station and, at the time, the prosecutor determined that there was insufficient evidence to keep her detained, ordering her release.

However, on Tuesday, Aida was summoned to the police station again and ended up being detained for the second time. Hours later, around 8 pm, her father received a call from the prosecutor informing him that his daughter had attempted to take her own life.

According to information from the family, Aida was taken to Maputo Central Hospital, but arrived at the unit without vital signs.

The father claims the body showed signs of aggression on the neck and questions how a suicide could have occurred inside a cell, considering the surveillance and security conditions of the place.

The PRM, in turn, maintains that the woman attempted suicide with a scarf. No official reports on the incident or internal investigations clarifying the circumstances of the death have yet been released.

The case raises concerns about the safety and treatment of detainees in police cells, as well as questions about the transparency of procedures during the detention of suspects in sensitive situations.