Zambian opposition leader arrested for defaming president

Zambian police arrested an opposition leader on Monday for saying President Edgar Lungu used public funds on a holiday last year, a police spokeswoman said, in a further sign of rising political tension ahead of August elections. She said Erick Chanda, leader of the Fourth Revolution Party, was charged with defamation of the president following […]

Zambian police arrested an opposition leader on Monday for saying President Edgar Lungu used public funds on a holiday last year, a police spokeswoman said, in a further sign of rising political tension ahead of August elections.
She said Erick Chanda, leader of the Fourth Revolution Party, was charged with defamation of the president following a May 9, 2015 newspaper report in which he accused Lungu of having spent taxpayers’ money at a holiday resort.
“He was arrested this morning and is currently in police custody,” police spokeswoman Charity Munganga-Chanda said.
The offense carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison.