Police fired into a crowd protesting President Laurent Gbagbo's regime Tuesday and killed one person, witnesses said, as political opponents mounted rallies in several towns in the southern part of the divided West African country. Protesters said police fired shots to disperse a gathering of hundreds in Abidjan, hitting one man in the leg. Police officials denied shooting at demonstrators."Wudn't us."
"We hid in a little courtyard, tied up the wound and then took him to hospital in a taxi," fellow protester Adama Kone said. "He lost too much blood and passed away."
Blood could be seen on the ground of the residence indicated by Kone and other witnesses who confirmed the account. Hospital officials did not return calls seeking confirmation. Police Commissioner Aubin Djanhoue denied any shots were fired. "How can we shoot at our fellow countrymen?" Djanhoue said. "We dispersed the crowds by usual means, using tear gas. We don't shoot at protesters, only at thieves and the like."