Zambian police have released all 68 protesters, including several MPs, who were arrested for participating in a banned opposition demonstration to demand a new Constitution, an official said on Tuesday.
”We released them on police bond last night. They will appear in court soon,” police spokesperson Brenda Muntemba said.
The protesters were arrested on Monday when they tried to go ahead with an illegal demonstration aimed at pressurising the government to enact a new democratic Constitution before the 2006 presidential and general elections.
President Levy Mwanawasa’s government has maintained that financial restraints prevent it from adopting a new Constitution before the elections.
The demonstration was organised by some opposition parties and civil society groups who are demanding changes to the current Constitution, which they say is undemocratic and discriminatory and lacks legitimacy. — Sapa-AFP