Tanzania opposition reports 61 charged with terrorism for protest activities
Sixty-one individuals arrested in Tanzania in early July for calling for or participating in a demonstration have been charged with terrorism, according to the opposition party Chadema. The party stated that most of those charged are its members, and an additional 70 people arrested around the same time remain in police custody awaiting charges. Chadema lawyer Rugemeleza Nshala criticized the charges, asserting that participating in a demonstration is a constitutional right, not an act of terrorism. Police had previously announced on July 9 that 130 people were arrested on suspicion of planning criminal acts or inciting them through messages related to the July 7 demonstration. The police indicated that the demonstration lacked the required legal notice. The opposition had called for protests on July 7, a public holiday known as "Saba Saba," to mark the anniversary of the founding of the Tanganyika African National Union Tanu. The police, on Sunday, stated that 36 people have been charged so far, accused of planning or inciting "disturbances and violence," including intentions to burn public buildings, sabotage the electricity grid, or kill police officers. Violent protests also occurred on October 29, the day of general elections, against what was considered a predetermined outcome, leading to a bloody repression. An official inquiry estimated 518 deaths on October 29 and subsequent days, while the opposition and human rights advocates claim approximately 2,000 people were k
