Opposition wants to sue Tanzanian police chief after arrests
Following the arrest of over 520 supporters and their leadership, the Tanzanian opposition party Chadema has leveled serious allegations against the police. Party leader Freeman Mbowe has announced plans to sue the police chief of the East African country and a high-ranking official. He claims that he was beaten and tortured after his arrest, as were other members of the party leadership.
Mbowe, his deputy, and former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu, along with other party members, were arrested over the weekend in Mbeya in southwestern Tanzania. A youth event organized by the party had been planned there, but the police had banned it, citing fears of chaos and disruption of public peace.
Lissu, who is also a lawyer, has announced plans to sue for an illegal ban on the event, as well as arbitrary arrest and torture. He insisted that there was no evidence to suggest that the event would cause chaos.
Lissu had only recently returned to Tanzania from years of exile, following President Suluhu Hassan's announcement of an end to the ban on political demonstrations.
After their arrest, Mbowe and other party leaders have filed lawsuits against the police chief and a high-ranking official, alleging torture and mistreatment. Following the ban on the youth event, Lissu intends to sue for its illegal implementation and the arbitrary arrest of party members.
