Zambian opposition leader Brian Mundubile has been taken into police custody over allegations of treason, days after he disputed the results of the country’s presidential election.
Mundubile, who leads the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Progress, had been in hiding since the Aug. 13 vote. Official results gave incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema 60% of the vote, with Mundubile receiving 38%.
Tensions escalated the day after the election when security forces raided a property linked to Mundubile in Lusaka. A former cabinet minister, Mutotwe Kafwaya, was killed in the raid and several other politicians were arrested. Authorities accused the opposition of plotting an armed insurgency, a claim the NRPUP denied.
After the raid, the party said Mundubile moved to “a secure location under the protection of an international human rights body” citing threats to his safety. He and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, later sought refuge with the United Nations in the capital.
On Thursday, both men were handed over to police and are being interviewed by law enforcement officers with their lawyers present. State broadcaster ZNBC reported the summons relates to “alleged activities that police say have the potential to threaten national security.” The handover followed pressure from the president on the UN, according to the party.
The opposition also lost the chance to challenge the election in court. Authorities sealed off the courts on Monday, the final day to file a petition.
Hichilema is scheduled to be sworn in for a second term on Sept. 1.
