A Zambian court has freed 18 people detained during a crackdown on opposition supporters, ruling that their arrests were unlawful, according to court reporting and human rights groups. The detainees, arrested during protests in Lusaka, had been held on charges including unlawful assembly and incitement. The magistrate found that police had failed to follow proper procedures and that the evidence presented did not support the charges. Opposition leaders welcomed the ruling as a victory for the rule of law, while government officials said they respected the court’s decision. The case had drawn criticism from international observers, who warned that Zambia’s democratic credentials were under strain. The freed detainees said they planned to continue peaceful political activity. The ruling comes amid wider tensions in Zambia ahead of elections, with opposition parties accusing the government of using the courts and police to suppress dissent. The government denies the charges, saying it upholds the law impartially.
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