EIGHTEEN members of Zanzibar’s main opposition party will go on trial for high treason on Friday, facing execution or life in jail if convicted, after more than a year in detention. The Civic United Front members are charged with conspiracy to overthrow the government of President Salmin Amour which rules the twin semi-autonomous Tanzanian islands of Zanzibar and Pemba. Several European countries and international organisations have expressed concern over the delay in starting the trial. Twelve of the accused were arrested at a political rally on November 29, 1997, and initially charged with “an attempt to incite the people against the government”.
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