Haiti jailbreak frees activist

Cenafis Castera, in prison for a paramilitary raid, also escaped

Armed supporters of a jailed local leader in Haiti have driven a bulldozer through a prison wall, freeing him and over 150 other inmates.

For the moment, the situation is uncontrollable

Haitian presidential spokesman

Amiot Metayer, who has been regarded as close to Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, was imprisoned a month ago in the northern town of Gonaives.

He was accused of setting fire to the homes of opposition members but has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Metayer's supporters have held three days of violent protests calling for his release.

A spokesman for President Aristide said that the situation was out of control.

"We are reinforcing the police to re-establish order, but we want to avoid hurting the civilian population," said spokesman Jacques Maurice.

Arson

The supporters of Mr Metayer were heavily armed, according to local media.

Police were unable to control events in Gonaives

The Palace of Justice in Gonaives has been completely burned down, one radio station reported, with the City Hall partly destroyed by fire.

One member of his People's Organisation (OP) told local media that the police fired tear gas, but failed to stop the storming of the prison.

However, a witness at the prison told the BBC that the situation there was now calm.

Other prisoners freed included two men who had been sentenced for their role in the 1994 Raboteau massacre.

Jean Tatoune was serving life for taking part in a paramilitary raid on the Raboteau district of Gonaives, during which at least six shantytown dwellers were murdered.

Captain Cenafis Castera, serving a sentence for the same crime, also escaped.

Ironically, the 1994 raid was carried out by forces who were searching for Mr Metayer.

Protesters told local radio that they had initially backed President Aristide, but that he had later betrayed them.

Mr Metayer has himself been accused of involvement in political violence and murder last December, following an attack on the National Palace by opponents of President Aristide.

Mr Metayer, at that time still backing the president, reportedly took violent revenge on opposition supporters who, the government said, were behind the attack on the palace.