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Zambian Opposition Leader Calls on Government to Free Detained Party Members

by Reuters

   LUSAKA --

   Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema called on the government
   to free several members of his party who are still being detained over
   various charges hours after he was released from prison on Wednesday.

   The state prosecutor dropped charges against him of plotting to
   overthrow the government. Hichilema and five others were arrested in
   April and charged with treason after his convoy failed to make way for
   President Edgar Lungu's motorcade.

   "I can't say I am free when our members are in detention," he told
   hundreds of supporters outside his party's headquarters and called for
   the end of the arrest of his party's members, adding "if it doesn't end
   I am willing to go back to prison."