A Tanzanian court has prohibited live coverage of the treason trial of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, citing the need to protect civilian prosecution witnesses.
Principal Resident Magistrate Franco Kiswaga ruled that live streaming, broadcasting, or any other form of live content distribution online is prohibited to conceal witness identities.
Lissu, who is representing himself, criticized the decision, saying it would allow the court to operate in “darkness” and prevent his supporters from following the case.
Lissu, leader of Tanzania’s largest opposition party CHADEMA, has been in detention since April on charges of treason and publishing false information, which he denies.
His party has been disqualified from participating in October’s presidential and parliamentary elections.
The trial has raised concerns about Tanzania’s human rights record under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is running for the presidency for the first time.
