Nawakwi, Changala, Zulu, Mubungo risk 25 years jail term as state slams espionage charges on them

Opposition leader, Edith Nawakwi, civil rights activist, Brebner Changala, and Members of Parliament, Munir Zulu and Maureen Mubongo, have been charged with an additional count of espionage, which carries a 25-year prison sentence.

According to a statement from Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Danny Mwale, the individuals have been charged with espionage contrary to Section 3(c) of the State Security Act Chapter 111.

Zulu, Mubongo, and opposition leader, Dan Pule, have also been charged with instigating tribal war contrary to Section 46 Chapter 87 of the Republican Constitution.

The suspects additionally face charges of seditious practices and hate speech.

Read more: Party leader, M’membe, faces High Court trial, may get 25 years jail term if found guilty of espionage

However, Changala, through his lawyers, has applied for bail pending trial at the Lusaka High Court, citing denial of bond by police due to instructions from superiors.

He argued that bail was his fundamental human right, and that he was not a flight risk, and able to provide sureties.

Changala had been detained at Kabwata police station since Monday.

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