Zambia’s main opposition leader was charged with treason and flown under armed guard to a maximum-security prison in a case that threatens to taint Lusaka’s image as a relatively stable southern African democracy.
Brian Mundubile, who finished second in the Aug. 13 election with 38% of the vote, was detained alongside his running mate Makebi Zulu and businessman Harry Findlay. They are among 18 people accused of plotting to overthrow the government in the days leading up to President Hakainde Hichilema’s re-election.
The arrests followed a raid on Mundubile’s Lusaka home during the vote, where police said they recovered weapons. Mundubile disputes the account, saying his aides were unarmed. He later sought refuge at a UN building before surrendering to authorities last week.