DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania — Tanzania's most prominent opposition leader appeared in court Monday to face treason charges after calling for electoral reforms ahead of October's general election.
A conviction for treason carries a death penalty. But a high-spirited Tundu Lissu wore a T-shirt reading ''no reforms, no election'' — echoing the call that led to his April 9 arrest after addressing a public rally.
Lissu had embarked on a hunger strike to protest making a virtual court appearance instead of being allowed to show up in person.
The politician, chair of the opposition Chadema party, survived an assassination attempt in 2017 and has spent part of his time in exile since then over threats to his life.
Lissu during his court appearance encouraged supporters not to be afraid, and made victory gestures.
Investigators asked for two more weeks to complete investigations. The trial will proceed on June 2.
Supporters of Lissu have faced a crackdown. A Kenyan opposition politician, Martha Karua, who arrived in Tanzania ahead of the hearing, was deported. A former Kenyan chief justice, Willy Mutunga, and three Kenyan activists were detained.
Kenya's foreign ministry secretary Korir Sing'oei on Monday called for the release of Mutunga and his delegation.
