Zambia: 6 arson suspects freed without charge

By Obrain Mwuinga

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - Zambian police on Monday released six people, including an army officer, arrested in connection with mysterious fires which gutted a number of buildings in cities across the country.

The suspects spent over a month in custody without charge.

Police spokeswoman Esther Katongo told journalists the freed suspects were part of a group of 12 supporters of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) detained in various holding cells across the country.

"After a thorough investigation, the police could not find any evidence linking them to the crime hence their release from custody," she said.

According to Katongo, the remaining six are still in custody, helping police with investigations into arson and sabotage in Zambia.

The mysterious fires started in April shortly after the arrest and charging of main opposition leader, Hakainde Hichilema.

Five court buildings in Lusaka, Mongu and Choma were among those gutted in June but at different times, as was a hostel at Chalimbana University in Lusaka, the capital.

EU-funded properties in Lusaka were also burnt recently, prompting President Edgar Lungu to declare a state of emergency in early July.

Meanwhile, the lawyer representing the arson suspects, Martha Mushiphe, told journalists the opposition party had petitioned the High Court to compel police to explain why the accused are being held without charge longer than the statutory period of 48 hours.