Zambia leader moved from jail

LUSAKA: Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, who is facing treason charges for impeding a presidential motorcade, has been moved from a prison in Lusaka to a maximum security facility outside the capital, according to a prison source.

Hichilema and five others who were moved with him are accused of trying to overthrow the government after a column of opposition vehicles failed to make way for President Edgar Lungu.

The case has stoked political tensions in the country.

“They arrived at Mukobeko this morning ( yesterday),” a source said, referring to a maximum security prison in Kabwe, about 150km north of Lusaka.

Hichilema lawyer Jack Mwiimbu confirmed Hichilema had been moved but said he did not know to where.

“We are not privy to where they have been taken. They were taken to the City Airport and flown to an unknown destination,” he said.

The move went against a court order specifying Hichilema should be confined to Lusaka Central prison, he added. – Reuters