Resistance against Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu appears in court
Tanzania's leading opposition leader Tundu Lissu made his first appearance in court since he was arrested last month on treason, telling his supporters not to worry.
He raised his fist with a rebellious gesture and told his supporters: “You will be fine. You shouldn't be afraid.”
In the morning, tensions were high in the country's largest city, Dar Es Salaam, with security officials deploying heavily in the trial magistrate court and elsewhere.
But that didn't stop his supporters, hundreds of whom gathered outside the courtroom.
The court had previously tried to actually conduct hearings, but he and his legal team opposed this, citing transparency and due process.
The Shadema Party leader was arrested on April 9 at a rally where there was “no reform, no election”.
He has since been charged with treason and posting false information online, allegedly inciting rebellion and accusing police of election misconduct.
He denied the charges.
If convicted, he could face death penalty.
Prosecutors said Monday that an investigation into treason is still underway, with Lissu's lawyers questioning the delay.
The court has urged the prosecution to speed up the process and will try the case again on June 2.
Lissu's team also expressed concerns about the presence of a large number of police officers around the court, and the judge acknowledged whether this was justified.
Lissu described it as a politically motivated case, bringing more attention to the country's democratic situation.
It has attracted global attention, especially after expelling the famous Kenyan figures, who united with Lissu to the country.
On Sunday, former Attorney General Martha Karua said she was expelled from Tanzania along with two colleagues to prevent them from attending the trial.
The Tanzanian Human Rights Defenders League said the “arbitrary arrest” was shocked.
Hours later, former Kenya Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and other prominent rights activists said they had been parked at the airport and were detained.
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, apparently backing the security agency's move, said: “We are beginning to see a trend in which some activists from neighboring countries are trying to interfere with our internal affairs.
“If they are included in their own country, let them not come here to intervene. We don’t give them the chance – they have caused chaos in their own country.
“We are the only country [in the region] There is still security and peace.
“I urge our security agencies … not to have the opportunity to create discipline from elsewhere to create Indiscipline here.”
Another former Kenyan chief justice David Maraga said in court that he hopes “the future legal process will be fair, just and prompt”.
Recent events in Tanzania, including arrests of other opposition figures and the wave of kidnappings and killings targeting government critics, have sparked condemnation and called for an end to political repression.
Chadma Party has been disqualified from the October general election after demanding election reforms and refusing to comply with the Election Commission's requirement to sign the code of conduct.
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