Maputo, 8 May-(ANA)-One of four people held in Mozambique on suspicion of sabotaging the hydro-electric Cahora Bassa dam has said they did not intend to destroy it.
The foreigners are accused of putting a corrosive chemical in the turbines.
Portuguese detainee Carlos da Silva told journalists in north-west Songo district that tests so far had revealed nothing "toxic".
"We were arrested by the police on suspicion of terrorism, something we find incredible," he said.
"We came here with good intentions. Maybe we should have contacted the local authorities before," he conceded.
But Deputy Interior Minister Jose Mandra says the four suspects will remain in custody until the investigations have been completed.
He said there were various laboratory tests being conducted to determine how harmful the substances were.
Maputo city lawyers say if it is proven that the substances thrown into the dam are harmful to humans, animals or the dam's infrastructure, the suspects may face sentences of between two and eight years. (ANA)
Global/Plastics Issue