Tundu Lissu’s treason case adjourned for fourth time to July 30
Principal Resident Magistrate Franco Kiswaga of the Kisutu Court in Dar es Salaam set the next hearing date for July 30, stating the trial could not proceed until security measures for witnesses were confirmed.
A Tanzanian court on Tuesday postponed opposition leader Tundu Lissu's treason hearing for the fourth time, extending his detention as the prosecution awaits a response from the High Court on witness protection arrangements.
Principal Resident Magistrate Franco Kiswaga of the Kisutu Court in Dar es Salaam set the next hearing date for July 30, stating the trial could not proceed until security measures for witnesses were confirmed.
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As part of security measures, the prosecution has requested that witnesses testify behind wooden partitions to prevent their identification by anyone in court except the judge.
Lead prosecutor Nassor Katuga informed the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had cleared the case to move forward, but the application for protective measures was still pending at the High Court.
Lissu, who is defending himself, strongly opposed the proposal, warning that it could undermine the fairness of the proceedings.
"Justice must not only be done but be seen to be done, and this is not possible if the witnesses' faces remain hidden from the accused, especially," he told the court.
Lissu also called for the case to be dismissed if the prosecution continued to delay.
"I am sick and tired of these stories being put forward by the prosecution. I have been imprisoned alongside convicted death row inmates for 97 days, and it is not funny. The prosecution must know that we're not playing games," he said.
Despite the appeal, Magistrate Kiswaga ruled that the prosecution's reasons for adjournment were justified. He added that decisions regarding witness protection would be made by the High Court, which will preside over the full trial.
The case has faced repeated delays since mid-June, when prosecutors confirmed that investigations were complete and they were ready for submission at the High Court.
Lissu was arrested in April and charged with treason for leading a campaign by his party, Chadema, advocating electoral reforms ahead of Tanzania's October general election.
The charge is not eligible for bail and carries a mandatory death sentence upon conviction. He also faces separate charges under cybercrime laws for calling for civil disobedience in an online video.
Following his arrest, Chadema was barred from contesting the upcoming election, a move critics say effectively removed any serious opposition to the ruling CCM party.
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