Atupele Muluzi gets bail, fresh charge

Lawmaker Atupele Muluzi, the son of former president Bakili Muluzi, who was arrested this week in connection with the torching of a police station Lilongwe has been granted Police bail on Friday night.

The aspiring 2014 presidential candidate for the opposition United Democratic Party (UDF), was granted bail while receiving treatment at Mwaiwathu Private  Hospital in commercial city Blantyre.

He had earlier travelled 360 kilometres under police guard from the administrative capital Lilongwe where he was being treated a City Centre Clinic. He had high blood pressure and later diagnosed with malaria. 

Atupele detained at the roadblock

Atupele confirmed he has been freed and that his bail conditions require him to report to Police every Monday.

“I have been given Police bail tonight,” he said.

The lawmaker, 34, said all police officers who were guarding him have since been withdrawn from the hospital.

Ho however said he remains  “determined” to continue pursuing his “agenda for change.”

Fresh charge

Atupele was detained on Tuesday at a police roadblock as he travelled from Lilongwe to Blantyre, and was taken away for questioning.

The arrest followed two days of political violence in Lilongwe.

He was initially charged with inciting violence but on Friday police changed the charge to that of “disobeying the District Commissioner”.

Police said Atupele had no permission to conduct the public rally claiming the District Commissioner had refused him permission.

On Sunday, police fired tear gas as he was about to address a mammoth gathering, sparking a violent reaction in which a police station was burnt down.

The protests continued on Monday, with some police officers going into hiding after their houses were targeted in the densely populated Area 24 suburb.

Meanwhile, his father, the former president returns to Malawi Saturday from South Africa where he was receiving medical treatment.

International donors have cut aid to Malawi, citing concerns President Bingu wa Mutharika has become autocratic.

At least 19 people were killed by police during anti-government demonstrations and looting in Malawi last year.

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