Tanzania drops charges against opposition leader Freeman Mbowe News
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Tanzania drops charges against opposition leader Freeman Mbowe

The government of Tanzania Friday dropped charges relating to economic crimes and terrorism against Freeman Mbowe, according to Tanzania’s opposition party.

Freeman Mbowe was arrested last July in a nighttime raid by the local police hours before he was scheduled to hold a press conference to push for constitutional reforms. His party, Democracy and Progress (Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo), has been pushing for more political freedom in Tanzania following the death of President John Magufuli. But, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who succeeded Magufuli, prioritized economic growth rather than constitutional reforms.

The Tanzanian government alleged that Mbowe had conspired to attack a public official and distributed funds to blow up petrol stations in the country. He was charged with various crimes pursuant to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002, under which the maximum punishment is of 20 years. Under Section 148(5) of the Tanzanian Criminal Procedural Code, bail cannot be granted to individuals facing terrorism-related charges, and, therefore, he would have had to remain in jail for the duration of his trial.

President Samia met Mbowe immediately following his release from prison and lifted bans on four newspapers placed during the Magunfli regime, highlighting a shift in Tanzanian politics.

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