Zambia politician detained for ‘insulting the president’

Police in Zambia have arrested an opposition leader and charged him with defaming the president.

The offence carries a maximum sentence of three years.

Chishimba Kambwili is accused of insulting President Edgar Lungu in videos circulating social media and was summoned to a police station on Wednesday.

“He is currently detained in police custody,” a police spokesperson confirmed.

Mr Kambwili’s lawyers were not available for a comment.

Mr Kambwili served as information minister under the governing Patriotic Front party before he was dismissed, and has since emerged as a fierce critic of President Lungu.

He was one of the founding members of the National Democratic Congress, which was deregistered last week.