Treason trial finally begins

Namibia's long-awaited treason trial finally started on Monday, but the first day was taken up with a challenge by 13 of the detainees to the court's jurisdiction over them.

One-hundred-and-twenty-one people face charges of high treason and more than 200 other charges following an alleged plot to split the Caprivi strip in the northeast of the country from the rest of Namibia in August 1999.

Human rights activists have slammed the repeated delays and postponements that have seen the accused languish in prison for four years amid allegations of torture and other human rights violations. Twelve people have died while in custody, prompting calls for independent autopsies into the causes of their deaths.

Namibian Society for Human Rights director Phil Ya Nongoloh told IRIN the 13 alleged they were abducted from neighbouring Botswana and Zambia into Namibia to stand trial, where they had fled after attacks by secessionist rebels in the Caprivi region in August 1999 left 12 people dead.

They argued that because their presence in court was based on a crime - their alleged kidnapping - the court could have no jurisdiction over them. Judgment on their application will be handed down on Tuesday in the Grootfontein High Court, where the trial is being held.

"We are very relieved that the trial has finally started," Ya Nongoloh told IRIN on Monday. "It's better late than never, and the detainees have a sense that justice will finally be seen to be done.

The men are being represented by attorneys from Zimbabwe, Zambia and Namibia.