Police Crush Mutiny By Islamic Prisoners

Security forces crushed a prison revolt by Islamic militants Wednesday, killing at least 95 inmates after four guards were taken hostage and killed, authorities said.

Officials said inmates armed with homemade knives and other weapons took seven guards hostage Tuesday, then began organizing an escape of up to 1,000 jailed Islamic militants and regular prisoners.

More than a dozen prison employees and security forces members were injured, Justice Minister Mohamed Teguia said on state radio. The four slain guards’ throats were slit, officials said.

Among the 95 inmates killed by security forces were two jailed leaders of the Armed Islamic Group, the most hard-line of the guerrilla organizations fighting to topple the government, officials said.