Gang jailed for albino murders

Reuters

One person in Burundi has been jailed for life and four others received sentences of seven to 15 years for murdering albinos and selling their body parts for use in witchcraft.

Three people were released due to a lack of evidence. Eleven albinos have been killed in the past year. The nation of eight million people has around 200 albinos. The victims were mutilated and their body parts sold in neighbouring Tanzania for use in potions. More than 40 albinos have been killed in Tanzania. The trial is believed to be the first linked to a spate of albino killings in East Africa since 2007. Witchdoctors in the region say albino body parts bring luck in love, life and business.