Tanzania Opposition Leader, Freeman Mbowe To Stand Trial On Terror Charges

A court in Dar es Salaam has ruled that Freeman Mbowe, the leader of Tanzania’s main opposition party, will have to stand trial on charges of terrorism, prolonging a case that some see as political.

Mr Mbowe was arrested last July along with a number of senior officials of the Chadema party, just hours before they were to hold a public meeting to demand constitutional reforms.

He was charged with financing terrorism and conspiracy.

The 60-year-old leader said he had been tortured in custody.

His party, Chadema, accused the government of President Samia Suluhu Hassan of meddling – saying Mr Mbowe’s incarceration reflected a deepening slide into “dictatorship.”