A leading member of a Malawi rebel group has been charged with plotting to kill the country’s president, Lazarus Chakwera.
Patricia Cariati, secretary general of the UTM party, was arrested last week on charges of “conspiring with others to commit serious crimes.”
The 57-year-old man did not speak when he appeared in court in Malawi’s capital Lilongwe on Monday. However, according to local media reports, her lawyer claimed that the politician maintained her innocence.
Few details of the alleged plot have been shared, and various opposition parties maintain that the charges against Cariati are politically motivated.
UTM supporters gathered outside the courthouse ahead of the hearing and sang anti-government songs, according to AFP news agency.
The court heard that Cariati had two co-conspirators who were on the run.
A magistrate ultimately ruled that Cariati could be released on bail as the investigation continues.
State prosecutors asked her to be held for an additional week.
Malawian police said they were acting within the law and that Cariati’s rights would be respected.
Her political party, UTM, was part of the county government until it withdrew in June following the death of party leader Saulos Chilima, who served as vice president.
He died at the age of 51 when the military plane he was on crashed in a forest in northern Malawi.
Mr. Cariati then put forward his name as the party’s candidate to replace Mr. Chilima, with a view to running against Mr. Chakwera in next year’s presidential election.
Mr Cariati, who was an elementary school teacher before entering politics, is well known for his frank and outspoken personality.
