Luanda — Angolan Government is negotiating with the Zambian authorities an accord for the extradition of nationals sentenced to death in that neighbouring country, Angop learned.

This was said Thursday in Luanda by the Angolan Foreign minister, Rebelo Pinto Chikoti.

The diplomat was speaking at a press conference at Luanda "4 de Feereiro" International Airport, while commenting on the more than 50 Angolans in Zambian prisons, seven of whom sentenced to death and two to life, in connection with various crimes committed in the Zambian territory.

The minister said that there is an ongoing negotiation and documents are under review for possible signing of an agreement for extradition of Angolans who are in this situation because the country's law does not provide for the death penalty, so the authorities are

negotiating for these Angolans can eventually come to serve their sentences in Angola.

"It is true that they incur these penalties, but none has been actually sentenced to death because the Zambian Constitution stipulates that the president is the one who has to authorize the execution of those penalties," he said.

He stressed that the Angolan minister of Justice, Rui Mangueira, was recently in Zambia to discuss, among others, this issue. "Eventually, I also will travel to Zambia to discuss with the Zambian Government that issue," he said.

Ckikoti explained that he met with Zambian officials in Kenya and it was agreed that a day could be established late in August for discussions of the prisoners issue and others concerning the common border.