Zambian police have summoned opposition leader Brian Mundubile for questioning over alleged national security threats.
President Hakainde Hichilema secured a second term in office after winning last week’s election with 60% of votes, beating Mundubile of the National Restoration Party for Unity and Progress (NRPUP).
Mundubile, who plans to challenge the results in court, has gone into hiding.
In a statement late on Thursday, police said they wanted to interview Mundubile and his running mate, Makebi Zulu, who they said had sought refuge “under international law with a known international organisation”.
The purpose would be to establish links between the two and “various alarming activities… which have the potential to threaten or undermine national security,” it said.
Ex-minister shot dead
Security forces raided a property where Mundubile was present last Friday and arrested 11 people, some of whom were his associates, accusing them of possessing materials for an armed insurrection.
Ex-minister Mutotwe Kafwaya was shot dead in an exchange of gunfire during the operation.
Mundubile could not be reached for comment, but has previously dismissed the allegations as fabricated.
The opposition has until early Tuesday – one week after the results were announced – to file an election challenge in court.
