Zambia: Treason trial date set for opposition leader

By Francis Maingaila Lusaka

LUSAKA, Zambia (AA) - The Lusaka High Court has set Aug. 14 as the date for hearing a treason case against a major opposition leader and his five colleagues.

Gilbert Phiri, a lawyer for United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema, told journalists in Lusaka Friday that Justice Charles Chanda from Ndola will hear the treason case.

“On this date the matter will come for plea-taking and an explanation of the charge to the accused,” he added.

Hichilema and his co-accused have been remanded at a prison in Kabwe, the capital of Zambia’s Central Province. They were arrested on April 10 after a police raid at his home in Lusaka, following a dispute over the presidential motorcade. Hichilema is accused of conspiring to overthrow the government of Zambia.