Malawi ‘coup’ suspects freed on bail, travel documents surrendered

Malawi High Court has free on bail suspects who face treason charges for allegedly plotting to oust President Joyce Banda.

Defence lawyers for the group — which includes a government minister, several former ministers and the ex-president’s brother Peter Mutharika — urged a High Court judge to release the men on bail.

Lawyer Kalekeni Kaphale complained to the High Court that the “police are hiding information” from the defence, while insisting that treason was a “bailable offence”.

Prosecuting lawyer Ralph Mhone argued that the group, which retains hefty political clout, could “jeopardise on-going investigations”.

He told judge Ivy Kamanga that the state would need “14-21 days to finish investigations”.

But in her determination in the afternoon of Thursday, Justice Kamanga granted the suspects bail.Image may be NSFW.
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She however imposed conditions to the bail which include the suspects paying a bail bond of K7 million each and two sureties.

They were also ordered to surrender travel documents and report to police once in every two weeks.

The 12 are accused of trying to prevent then vice president Banda from assuming power after the death of president Bingu wa Mutharika on April 5 last year.

Last week an inquest ruled that Mutharika died of a heart attack on the way to hospital, but his body was flown to South Africa as would-be successors denied his death in a bid to buy time.

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Peter Mutharika freed

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DPP supporters happy