Key facts
- Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Déby has pardoned opposition leader Succès Masra.
- Masra was imprisoned for over a year on charges of inciting violence and complicity to murder.
- Masra, a former prime minister, was sentenced to 20 years and fined 1 billion CFA francs.
- The pardon was granted following a request from Masra's attorneys.
- Masra and eight other political figures are expected to be released soon.
Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Déby has issued a pardon for his main rival and opposition leader, Succès Masra, who has been imprisoned for over a year. Masra, a former prime minister, was serving a 20-year sentence and a fine of 1 billion CFA francs ($1.77 million) for charges including inciting violence and complicity to murder. Human rights activists had criticized the trial as politically motivated.