Tanzania’s main opposition leader Tundu Lissu was a picture of defiance while appearing in court in the country’s largest city Dar es Salaam on Monday to answer charges of treason and incitement to violence.
It was his first appearance at a magistrate’s court since he was arrested in April where he also faces a charge of publishing false information on the internet.
He denies all the charges but if convicted could face the death penalty.
Waving his fist in the air to his Chadema supporters Lissu exhorted them not to flinch in their conviction against political oppression.
“You should not fear” he said as he was spirited to a courtroom by the security officers who kept a surging crowd of his supporter penned outside.
Citing transparency, Lissu and his Chadema party had insisted on holding the hearing inside the court after the judicial officials had suggested a virtually session.
Lissu has been detained since 9 April after being whisked away from a rally demanding ”electoral reforms or no election”.
Tanzania goes to the polls in October but Chadema insist that the exercise cannot be held in the absence of reforms of the country’s electoral code to ensure a levelled playing field for the opposition.
WN/as/APA