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Malawi ex-leader mocks coup claim | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Malawi's former leader Bakili Muluzi has told the BBC the idea of him being involved in a coup plot is "laughable". | |
Mr Muluzi was placed under house arrest in the city of Blantyre after returning from a trip to the UK at the weekend. | |
He said he was questioned by police who showed him an anonymous letter allegedly linking him to a plot to overthrow President Bingu wa Mutharika. | |
While he was quizzed, police fired tear gas at his supporters in Blantyre to prevent them from holding protests. | |
On Sunday, his detention sparked demonstrations in the capital, Lilongwe. Police fired on his supporters who had blocked roads, wounding three people. | |
Democracy | |
Mr Muluzi described his arrest and questioning as being "like Hollywood" and "harassment of the highest order". | |
Mr Mutharika fell out with his predecessor after becoming president | Mr Mutharika fell out with his predecessor after becoming president |
"I'm not a violent person. I believe in democracy myself. I am not a person to take over a government by unlawful means," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme. | |
He said he had not been charged with anything and said he had never seen the anonymous letter detailing the alleged coup plot. | |
Earlier this month, President Mutharika accused his predecessor of being behind a plot to remove him from office by 16 May. | |
Eight people were arrested, including two security chiefs and three serving brigadiers. | Eight people were arrested, including two security chiefs and three serving brigadiers. |
The BBC's Raphael Tenthani in Blantyre says seven of them been released on bail, but former spy chief Chitsulo Gama remains in custody. | |
Mr Muluzi's United Democratic Front (UDF) party says the arrests are politically motivated. | Mr Muluzi's United Democratic Front (UDF) party says the arrests are politically motivated. |
Last month, Mr Muluzi, who served two terms before stepping down in 2004, won a contest to be named the UDF's presidential candidate in next year's polls. | Last month, Mr Muluzi, who served two terms before stepping down in 2004, won a contest to be named the UDF's presidential candidate in next year's polls. |
It is not clear if he would be eligible to stand, as the constitution bans a president from more than two consecutive terms. | It is not clear if he would be eligible to stand, as the constitution bans a president from more than two consecutive terms. |
President Mutharika was elected as the UDF candidate in 2004 but soon afterwards fell out with Mr Muluzi and formed his own party. | President Mutharika was elected as the UDF candidate in 2004 but soon afterwards fell out with Mr Muluzi and formed his own party. |
He said his former political associates were opposed to his anti-corruption drive. | He said his former political associates were opposed to his anti-corruption drive. |
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