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Lawyers Criticize Trial of Ugandan Politician In Military Court

Lawyers representing prominent Ugandan politician Kizza Besigye have sought the intervention of the country's Supreme Court to prevent him from being tried in a military court. Former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua, whose book launch Besigye had gone to attend before his abduction, has offered to help lead his defense in Uganda.

Amnesty International condemned the abduction of Kizza Besigye and his subsequent arraignment before a military court in Kampala. The rights group said the action is "part of a growing and worrying trend of transnational repression with governments violating human rights beyond their borders".

It accused Uganda of "systematically" cracking down on opposition political parties.

"Amnesty International strongly believes that Dr. Besigye's abduction is designed to send a chilling message to those whose opinions dissent from the Ugandan government," the group said in a statement.

Besigye's wife had earlier reported that her husband was abducted in Nairobi and is being held in a Kampala military jail. Besigye was in Nairobi for the book launch of Kenyan politician Martha Karua.

A similar experience was endured by 36 members of the Forum for Democratic Change, Besigye's political party, in Kisumu four months ago when they were clandestinely handed over to the government. The group was recently granted bail after being charged with treason.

Besigye has run against Yoweri Museveni in four elections and lost each time, though he claims fraud and voter intimidation for his losses.

InFocus

Nile Post

Kizza Besigye.

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