Tanzania opposition leader Tundu Lissu to remain in police custody until June
Dressed in a white T-shirt bearing the message "No Reforms No Election" in sky-blue letters, he addressed supporters outside the court on Monday, saying: "We are now okay! This is a public trial; let's meet in public. They wanted it, let them get it."
Tanzania's opposition leader, Tundu Lissu, will remain in custody until June 2025 after his treason and sedition case was adjourned on Monday.
Lissu, the Chairman of the Chadema party, was presented before the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court in Dar es Salaam, under tight security. He was arrested at a political rally on April 9 before being charged in court a day later. He was not allowed to take a plea.
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Dressed in a white T-shirt bearing the message "No Reforms No Election" in sky-blue letters, he addressed supporters outside the court on Monday, saying: "We are now okay! This is a public trial; let's meet in public. They wanted it, let them get it."
The courtroom saw the presence of several Chadema leaders and members of the diplomatic corps.
Defence lawyers opened the session by requesting that Lissu be allowed to stand in the dock alone, affirming his constitutional right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The court later granted this request but maintained its earlier decision to keep the proceedings closed to the public and media, despite pushback from the defence.
In its directives, the court ordered the ongoing investigations to be completed without delay and instructed the police to evaluate any potential security risks ahead of the next hearing to ensure Lissu's personal freedoms are upheld.
Strict courtroom conduct was also enforced, with a warning that clapping, booing, cheering or any form of disruption would be treated as contempt of court.
If found guilty of the offences, Lissu could potentially receive a death sentence in line with local laws.
Global bodies, including the European Union, have condemned Lissu's arrest as being politically motivated, further warning that the Chadema frontman may be handed the death penalty if found guilty.
The EU has also raised concerns about cases of continued human rights violations in Tanzania, including unwarranted arrests of members of the opposition and media oppression and intimidation.
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