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Political supporters of 18 opposition Civic United Front (CUF) members, charged with treason, on Wednesday clashed with police in the stone town in a two-hour fracas that left several people injured. A government official, Eddy Mugheiry, told IRIN on Thursday the 18 were due to appear for their trial at the Zanzibar High Court. The trouble started, he said, when a “huge number” of CUF supporters who milled around the court were denied entry because there was not enough space in the courtroom to accommodate them. “It was an event that shocked both the government and citizens,” Mugheiry said.
“Many people were injured, including the police and journalists. Many are still in hospital,” he said. “Some government vehicles and personal cars were damaged in the process.” According to the Zanzibar police, about 15 civilians and 14 policemen were injured. The 18 accused have been in detention for more than two years.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions