Congo Olympic and Paralympic team members seek asylum in UK
Members of the Congo team say they are regarded as traitors after criticising President Joseph Kabila while in London Athletes and coaches from the Democratic Republic of Congo have decided to seek asylum in the UK. Photograph: Sophia Evans for the Observer Six members of the Olympic and Paralympic teams from the Democratic Republic of Congo are planning to claim political asylum on Monday after the conclusion of the 2012 games. The athletes and coaches, who are appealing to the UK government for sanctuary, say murders of opponents by government forces and other human rights abuses are on the increase. They claim the situation has deteriorated sharply since the elections last November in which President Joseph Kabila was re-elected despite claims that his main rival Etienne Tshisekedi was the true winner. Widespread violence was reported during the election period. Those claiming asylum are Paralympic ath...