Two Zambians arrested last month for possession of weapons-grade uranium now face charges of espionage, their lawyer said on Monday.
Kelvin Bwalya said Francis Changufu and Andrew Milambo were charged on Monday after the state withdrew the earlier charge of being in ”possession of dangerous substances”.
”The case has been moved to the Lusaka high court for summary trial,” Bwalya said. A trial date had not been set yet.
Changufu and Milambo have been remanded in custody awaiting a high court ruling as to whether they should be given bail. A magistrate’s court last month denied bail and they later appealed to the high court.
The police have not disclosed the quantity of uranium allegedly found with Changufu and Milambo, but said the radioactive substance was ”weapons grade.”
The two were arrested on February 20 at a public function where President Levy Mwanawasa was expected to be guest of honour. But Mwanawasa changed his mind and sent his finance minister instead. – Sapa-AFP