Politics
16:49, 16-Aug-2017
Zambia opposition chief freed, treason charge dropped: party
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Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema was released from prison on Wednesday and treason charges against him were dropped, his party said shortly before his trial was to begin in capital Lusaka.
"Hakainde Hichilema and his 5 co-accused have been released from prison with the treason charge dropped," the United Party for National Development (UPND) said on its Twitter account.
Hichilema has been in custody since April over an incident in which he allegedly failed to give way to President Edgar Lungu's motorcade.
Lungu, who narrowly beat Hichilema in last year's presidential election, has dismissed allegations of growing authoritarianism and accused his rival of trying to overturn the election result.
Hichilema and five aides denied the treason charges at a plea hearing on Monday where police officers in riot gear had sealed off the court precinct as scores of UPND supporters waited outside.
The trial had been due to begin on Wednesday morning.
Source(s): AFP