Tanzania police detain opposition officials on way to court, party says

24/4/2025 16:39

Police in Tanzania detained two senior opposition figures on Thursday as they drove to a court hearing for party leader Tundu Lissu, who has been charged with treason, their party said.



CHADEMA party Deputy Chairperson John Heche and Secretary General John Mnyika were detained as they headed to Kisutu Magistrate Court in Dar es Salaam, party spokesperson Brenda Rupia said.



"We are continuing to witness grave violations of human rights, civic freedom and rule of law in our country," Rupia said on X. "We won't allow our nation to return to the darkness of fear, threats and oppression."



The reason for the detentions was not immediately clear.



A police spokesperson did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.



President Samia Suluhu Hassan says the government is committed to respecting human rights and ordered an investigation into a series of abductions last year, when several government critics were kidnapped and injured or killed by unknown people.