Opposition leader appears in Tanzania’s High Court

The leader of Tanzania’s main opposition party has appeared in the country’s High Court to face terrorism charges.

Freeman Mbowe has been detained since his arrest in July, along with other senior officials of the Chadema party, just hours before they were to hold a public forum to demand constitutional reforms.

The party says ”the case is politically motivated,” describing it as a throwback to the increasingly authoritarian rule of the late President John Magufuli.

Mr Mbowe’s lawyer argued that the division of the High Court, known as the Corruption and Economic Crimes Division, did not have the power to hear the case.

The case was previously heard in a magistrate’s court.

In a separate case, Mr Mbowe went to court on Monday to argue that the manner of his arrest and the fact that he was held for five days without being charged, violated his constitutional rights.

The United States has expressed concern about the treatment of the opposition leader.

BBC/Mercy Chukwudiebere