Tanzania opposition leader Mbowe in court on ‘terror’ charges

Freeman Mbowe says the charges are politically motivated, and his case has triggered concern among rights groups.

The leader of Tanzania’s main opposition party has appeared in court on “terrorism” charges that his supporters have denounced as a politically motivated move to silence dissent. On Friday, it was the first time Freeman Mbowe was seen in public since his arrest along with other members of his Chadema party on July 21, just hours before they were to hold a public forum on constitutional reform. Mbowe, 59, flashed the V-for-victory sign as he arrived at the court in Tanzania’s commercial capital Dar-es-Salaam, transported in a green van from the prison.