Tundu Lissu, the beleaguered leader of the main opposition party in Tanzania, will remain in custody for an additional 14 days as investigations continue.
The police and state prosecutors requested this extension from the Kisutu Magistrates Court to finalize their inquiries, which the court approved, setting the next hearing for June 2.
This marks Lissu’s first in-person appearance for the proceedings, having previously participated virtually.
His defense team, led by Senior Counsel Mpale Mpoki, opposed the request, arguing that it infringes on Lissu’s fundamental rights.
They raised concerns about the prosecution’s inability to advance the case despite the availability of evidence and highlighted that Lissu is under excessive police surveillance, asserting that he poses no threat as an accused individual.
Lissu was arrested on April 9 after advocating for electoral reforms ahead of the upcoming general election in October and faces treason charges, for which bail is not an option.
His party, Chadema, has been vocal about the need for electoral reforms and has criticized the arrests of opposition figures in the lead-up to the election, where President Samia Suluhu Hassan is campaigning for a full term after completing her predecessor’s term.
Human rights advocates have accused Hassan’s government of employing oppressive tactics against the opposition, a claim the government refutes.
Notably, Lissu survived an assassination attempt in 2017, having been shot 16 times, and his party has consistently criticized laws that favor the ruling CCM party, which has held power since Tanzania gained independence in 1961.
