Tanzania’s opposition party, Chadema, says 61 people arrested in early July over planned demonstrations have been charged with terrorism.
The party’s lawyer, Rugemeleza Nshala, said most of those charged are Chadema members, while about 70 others arrested during the same period remain in police custody awaiting charges.
The arrests followed a foiled protest on July 7, after which police announced the detention of 130 people suspected of planning criminal activities or inciting unrest through messages linked to the demonstration.
“Chadema is not supporting terrorism at all. Participating or attempting to take part in demonstrations is not terrorism”, Nshala said.
He warned that criminalising peaceful political activities could pose a threat to democratic rights, while noting that some suspects were accused of planning attacks on public and private property and targeting police officers.
The police, however, said 36 people had so far been charged for allegedly planning violence, including attacks on public facilities, disruption of the power grid and killings of security personnel.
The arrests come ahead of Tanzania’s general election scheduled for October, amid continued political tensions following the imprisonment of Chadema leader Tundu Lissu on treason charges.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan won the previous election with 98 per cent of the vote, which triggered criticism from opposition groups and rights activists over allegations of repression.
An official inquiry into violence that followed the election reported 518 deaths, while opposition groups and human rights organisations have claimed the number of casualties was significantly higher.
