A Magistrate’s Court in Lilongwe has charged the brother of former President Bingu wa Mutharika, Peter, and 10 others with treason.
Reading the charges to the accused, Chief Resident Magistrate Ruth Chinangwa said the 11 will answer treason charges and that three, Mr Peter Mutharika, Mr Goodall Gondwe and Mr Bright Msaka, will also face extra charges of inciting mutiny.
The group faces charges on seven accounts.
The state also charged the former legal advisor of President Mutharika, Mr Allan Ntata, of treason, bringing the number of the accused to 12.
The magistrate said she could not make a ruling on the bail application as the charges of treason were beyond her court. She committed the case to the High Court.
“This means the bail application hearing will commence tomorrow (Thursday) at the High Court,” said Mr Kalekeni Kaphale, a lawyer representing the accused.
Following the ruling, the accused will spend another day in police cell waiting for the commencement of the bail application at the Lilongwe High Court.
Only nine of the 11 accused appeared before the magistrate as two, minister of Economic Planning and Development Gondwe and former minister of Health, Dr Jean Kalilani, were reportedly sick.
Hundreds of Mutharika supporters thronged the court, chanting songs of praise of Mutharika and denouncing President Joyce Banda.
NMG
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