LEADER OF TANZANIA’S MAIN OPPOSITION PARTY FREEMAN MBOWE APPEARS IN COURT TO FACE TERRORISM CHARGES

The leader of Tanzania’s main opposition party Freeman Mbowe has appeared in court to face terrorism charges in case described by his supporters as a politically motivated move aimed at crushing dissent.

The 59year old Chairman of the Chadema Party has been behind bars since July 21st when he was arrested along with other senior party officials in a night time Police raid just hours before they were to hold a public forum to demand constitutional reforms.

Sources say the trial of the country’s High Court in Dar-es-Salem opened on Tuesday under tight security with most Journalists banned from the courtroom by Police.

President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s Government, citing COVID-19 regulations and security had warned foreign diplomats against turning up to the court to follow the case without notifying the Foreign Ministry.