Swaziland judge says gasoline bomb attacks have stopped after the arrest of alleged bombers

Alleged fire bombers denied bail in Swaziland

MBABANE, Swaziland — A Swaziland judge refuses to free on bail two suspected gasoline bombers and says after their arrest a spate of bomb attacks stopped in this southern African nation.

Attorneys for the suspects said in court Friday the two were tortured into confessing to bombings police claimed were masterminded by a banned opposition group, the Swaziland Youth Congress. They deny terrorism and treason charges carrying a possible death sentence. No evidence was given on any bombing injuries.

Since 2005, 16 people have been accused of plotting firebombings against Africa’s last absolute monarchy that has banned political demonstrations and opposition parties.

Critics accuse Swazi police of staging bombings to discredit opponents of King Mswati III’s autocratic rule.