Zambian constabulary on Th barred entry to the capital’s cathedral where opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema had been due to brand his get-go world appearance since beingness freed from jail.
Hichilema was released terminal calendar week afterward 4 months inward custody on treason charges, inward a representative widely seen every bit highlighting a crackdown on dissent past times Zambian government nether President Edgar Lungu.
“The organiser did non notify the police. This notification should endure done inward writing,” Lusaka tell constabulary commissioner Nelson Phiri told AFP, declining to laissez passer on farther details.
Heavily armed constabulary blocked entry to the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Cross, AFP reporters said, amongst roadblocks erected on many routes to the building.
Hichilema, ofttimes known every bit “HH”, had been charged amongst treason for allegedly failing to laissez passer on means to Lungu’s motorcade inward April.
He disputes the results of terminal year’s election, which he narrowly lost, together with refuses to recognise Lungu every bit the president.
“The principal argue why they accept stopped us is that ‘HH’ was going to attend,” said prayers organiser Simon Chihana, caput of the International Fellowship of Christian Churches.
“They said that he is safety sensitive to them together with they would non let him to attend.”
Charles Kakoma, spokesman for Hichilema’s UPND party, told AFP that it was “a clear violation of people’s liberty of worship”.
Treason charges were dropped against Hichilema afterward Commonwealth secretary-general Patricia Scotland held talks amongst Lungu together with Hichilema.
She called for Zambian political leaders to demo that the solid ground “remains a symbol of peace together with a beacon of stability, unity together with political tolerance”.
AFP