Tanzanian Opposition Leader Released after Being Arrested Yesterday

The Vice Chairman of Tanzania’s main opposition party, CHADEMA, John Heche and other party leaders have been released by the police a few hours after being arrested while preparing to address a public rally in the commercial capital of Dar es Salaam.

Heche told the BBC, “The police had no real reason to arrest us. After hours of arrest, we are now out without any conditions. We, the Chadema party, are determined and will speak to the public tomorrow (Wednesday).”

Heche was arrested by the Police Force in the Kariakoo area, in Dar es Salaam, where, according to a statement from CHADEMA, Heche went to lead a public meeting that had already been announced and a report submitted to the Police several days ago.

However, the Police delivered a letter a few hours before the meeting began, opposing its holding on the grounds that the meeting area at Nyamwezi and Mkunguni Streets is heavily commercialized and the meeting would affect those activities.

Despite the ban, Heche arrived at the meeting location, where the police arrested him and took him away.

Heche’s arrest and release comes just weeks after CHADEMA Chairman Tundu Lissu was arrested and arraigned on charges of treason, charges that are not bailable.