The managing editor of Zambia’s independent daily, ‘The Post’, Fred M’membe, and 11 of his staff reporters appeared in court on Monday on charges of espionage, AFP reported on Monday.
The report said the 12 journalists pleaded not guilty to the charges and their trial was set for 25 November, on charges that could see them sentenced for up to 20 years in jail if convicted.
The charges arise out of an article published by the newspaper in March questioning Zambia’s capability to defend itself against attack by Angola. The article followed a diplomatic stand-off between Zambia and its war-torn neighbour Angola, which claimed that Zambia was allowing the rebel UNITA movement to use its territory to ship weapons and supplies for its war with Angola’s government.
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