Zambia opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema released

Zambia’s opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, who has been held in prison since April on treason charges, has been released.

Mr Hichilema was due to stand trial, but instead walked free from Lusaska’s high court after 100 days in custody.

Sources say the charges against Mr Hichilema and five aides were dropped after a deal was negotiated by the Commonwealth.

He narrowly lost the election to President Edgar Lungu last year.

Mr Hichilema, the leader of the United Party for National Development (UPND), alleges the vote was fixed, and does not recognise Mr Lungu as president.

Mr Lungu, meanwhile, faces accusations of growing authoritarianism.

Mr Hichilema was arrested in April, accused of endangering the president’s life after his motorcade allegedly refused to give way to the one transporting Mr Lungu.