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British woman arrested in Angola UK woman remains in Angolan jail
(1 day later)
A British woman has been arrested and accused of spying in Angola. A British woman originally arrested on charges of spying in Angola is still being held in custody.
London-based Sarah Wykes, the Africa oil campaigner for anti-corruption group Global Witness, was arrested in the oil-rich province of Cabinda. London-based Sarah Wykes, an oil campaigner for anti-corruption group Global Witness, was arrested on Monday in the oil-rich province of Cabinda.
Global Witness said her lawyers were prohibited from attending a hearing - and the charges she faces are unclear.
However, a spokesman said she was comfortable and now had access to her legal team.
Shortly after her arrest she told the BBC she had been meeting local groups to discuss what she called "revenue transparency" issues related to oil.Shortly after her arrest she told the BBC she had been meeting local groups to discuss what she called "revenue transparency" issues related to oil.
Oil accounts for 95% of Angola's export revenue, but most of the country lives in extreme poverty.Oil accounts for 95% of Angola's export revenue, but most of the country lives in extreme poverty.
The government has been criticised by local and foreign groups who are pushing for greater scrutiny of oil accounts and a fairer redistribution of oil revenues.The government has been criticised by local and foreign groups who are pushing for greater scrutiny of oil accounts and a fairer redistribution of oil revenues.
The International Monetary Fund has also been pressing for greater transparency in the oil sector.The International Monetary Fund has also been pressing for greater transparency in the oil sector.
Oil exportsOil exports
A supplier of crude oil to the US and China, Angola denies allegations that revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement.A supplier of crude oil to the US and China, Angola denies allegations that revenues have been squandered through corruption and mismanagement.
Oil exports and foreign loans have spurred economic growth and fuelled a reconstruction boom.Oil exports and foreign loans have spurred economic growth and fuelled a reconstruction boom.
Ms Wykes, who was born in York, was initially accused of carrying out what police called hostile propaganda and charged with possession of subversive materials. Ms Wykes, who was born in York, had been in Angola for just over a week, arriving in Cabinda with a colleague on Friday.
These charges were later dropped and the charge changed to spying. The following day, her passport was confiscated and her camera, notebook and computer memory sticks seized.
She was eventually taken to a police station where she was held without being given food and drink for five hours before being charged with espionage.
National security
But Gavin Hayman, of Global Witness, said there was now a lack of clarity as to the nature of the charges.
"It remains unclear because her lawyers were not able to be present at the hearing but it seems that the charge is related to national security," he said.
This, he said, was a broad charge which in Angola could even cover information about the oil industry.
Global Witness describe Ms Wykes as a highly respected anti-corruption campaigner.Global Witness describe Ms Wykes as a highly respected anti-corruption campaigner.
It is calling for the authorities to release her immediately and explain the charges on which she has been detained.It is calling for the authorities to release her immediately and explain the charges on which she has been detained.
David Nussbaum from the anti-corruption group Transparency International said he was "concerned that while trying to keep natural resources from turning into a corruption curse, Dr. Wykes has been arrested, seemingly without justification".
The Foreign Office said the British consul was travelling to the region and UK diplomats had been in touch with the Angolan authorities to insist Ms Wykes' legal rights should be honoured.
A veteran NGO activist, Ms Wykes was a former campaigner for corporate accountability with Amnesty International and used to work Oxfam. She has a PhD in Hispanic studies from London University.