Maraga demands Lissu’s acquittal, accuses East African govts of weaponising treason charges
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Originally published by News – Capital FM — Read the original article →
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NAIROBI,Kenya, Nov 6-Chief Justice David Maraga has called for the unconditional acquittal of Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, accusing East African governments of increasingly using treason and terrorism charges to silence political opponents and suppress dissent.
In a statement issued Friday, Maraga said Lissu’s prosecution lacked a credible legal foundation, arguing that calls for constitutional reforms, peaceful assembly and electoral boycotts could not constitute treason.
Maraga, who is the United Green Movement (UGM) Party co-leader and a 2027 presidential candidate, said the trial reflected a wider pattern of political persecution across the East African Community (EAC), where criminal justice systems were allegedly being deployed to remove opposition leaders from political participation.