Lawyers Seek Release of Opposition Leaders After Court Ruling.
Defense lawyers visited Luzira Prison Monday to demand freedom for opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and activist Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya. Their action follows a Supreme Court decision that military courts cannot try civilians.
The military court had charged both men with security offenses, illegal weapons possession, and treachery. These crimes allegedly occurred in Nairobi, Athens, and Geneva.
Former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago met with Prison Commissioner General Johnson Byabashaija to discuss the case.
"The prisons lack valid warrants to hold Doctor Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale," Karua told reporters. She explained the military court did not extend detention orders after the Supreme Court ruling.
Prison officials await guidance from the Attorney General before releasing the detainees. The defense team urged quick action from the government's top lawyer.
"They will hold them illegally if Dr. Besigye and Lutale remain in custody today," Karua said.
Lukwago reported Byabashaija's concerns about operating outside the law. "He assured us they don't want to turn prisons into a rogue force," Lukwago said.
The prison chief contacted the Attorney General right after Friday's court decision, according to Lukwago. "He sits in his office waiting for that communication."
The lawyers warned of legal action against officials who keep civilians in jail after the military court ruling. "We can't wait for the Attorney General," Lukwago said. "The Supreme Court rejected the Attorney General's opinion. We must enforce the Supreme Court decision."
The military court planned to hear the case today before the Supreme Court invalidated its authority over civilian cases.
Defense lawyers visited Luzira Prison Monday to demand freedom for opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye and activist Hajj Obeid Lutale Kamulegeya. Their action follows a Supreme Court decision that military courts cannot try civilians.
The military court had charged both men with security offenses, illegal weapons possession, and treachery. These crimes allegedly occurred in Nairobi, Athens, and Geneva.
Former Kenyan Justice Minister Martha Karua and Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago met with Prison Commissioner General Johnson Byabashaija to discuss the case.
"The prisons lack valid warrants to hold Doctor Kizza Besigye and Obeid Lutale," Karua told reporters. She explained the military court did not extend detention orders after the Supreme Court ruling.
Prison officials await guidance from the Attorney General before releasing the detainees. The defense team urged quick action from the government's top lawyer.
"They will hold them illegally if Dr. Besigye and Lutale remain in custody today," Karua said.
Lukwago reported Byabashaija's concerns about operating outside the law. "He assured us they don't want to turn prisons into a rogue force," Lukwago said.
The prison chief contacted the Attorney General right after Friday's court decision, according to Lukwago. "He sits in his office waiting for that communication."
The lawyers warned of legal action against officials who keep civilians in jail after the military court ruling. "We can't wait for the Attorney General," Lukwago said. "The Supreme Court rejected the Attorney General's opinion. We must enforce the Supreme Court decision."
The military court planned to hear the case today before the Supreme Court invalidated its authority over civilian cases.
