[JURIST] Uganda's High Court ordered the military Friday to suspend proceedings against main opposition leader Kizza Besigye [BBC profile] until the court decides whether the military trial is legal. Besigye was arrested [JURIST report] earlier this month on charges of treason and rape, and was later brought before a military court on terrorism charges [JURIST report]. Besigye's defense team has argued that the military court, controlled by allies of President Yoweri Museveni, is not competent to try terrorism cases. Besigye's arrest last month prompted protests from lawyers [JURIST report] who questioned government attempts to influence the proceedings, and the international community and rights groups are calling for a fair trial [JURIST report]. AP has more.
Previously in JURIST's Paper Chase…
- Uganda government rejects call to release jailed opposition leader
- Uganda lawyers strike over military involvement in opposition leader trial
- Uganda opposition leader brought before military court on terror charges
- Ugandan rebels appear in military court; US urges fair trial
- Uganda opposition leader charged with treason, rape