Zambian opposition leader questioned by police - state media
Brian Mundubile had been in hiding after disputing the outcome of the recent presidential election.
Zambian state media outlet ZNBC has reported that opposition leader Brian Mundubile, who had been in hiding after contesting the recent presidential election results, is now in police custody.
Mundubile had been unable to legally challenge the election outcome because authorities sealed off the courts on Monday, the final day for filing a case.
The official results of the August 13 poll indicated that incumbent President Hakainde Hichilema secured 60% of the vote, while Mundubile received 38%. President Hichilema is scheduled to be sworn in for his second term on September 1.
The day after the election, security forces raided a property in Lusaka, the capital, connected to Mundubile. The raid resulted in the death of a former cabinet minister and the arrest of several other politicians. Authorities accused the opposition of planning an armed insurgency, an accusation the opposition denied.
Following the raid, Mundubile's NRPUP party stated that he had gone to a "secure location under the protection of an international human rights body due to threats made against him." ZNBC further reported that Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, had been under the protection of the United Nations in Lusaka.
ZNBC added that Mundubile and Zulu are currently being interviewed by "law enforcement officers" with their lawyers present, following a summons concerning "alleged activities that police say have the potential to threaten national security."