Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema walked free from prison Wednesday after treason charges against him were dropped, averting a trial that threatened turmoil in the southern African nation. Hichilema, whose trial was due to begin in the morning, had been in custody since April over allegedly failing to give way to President Edgar Lungu's motorcade.
After his release, he described his detention as "brutal" and vowed to use his imprisonment to bolster the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) that he leads. "This is where we commence our walk to true freedom," he told cheering supporters. "I want to assure you that we are stronger now than before. We are 10 times stronger now than before."
Lillian Kayuni, director of public prosecution, earlier told the court in Lusaka that she would be "entering a nolle prosequi", or formal notice of abandonment. Hichilema was driven away from jail, standing up in the sun roof of his vehicle and waving to waiting crowds.
He spoke later at the UPND headquarters, flanked by his wife Mutinta and the five aides who were arrested with him. All six denied the treason charges at a plea hearing on Monday, and police officers had again sealed off the court precinct for the start of the scheduled trial on Wednesday.
Comments
Comments are closed.