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Swazi opponent on terror charges Swazi activist held on terror law
(about 1 hour later)
Swaziland's opposition leader is due in court after becoming the first person arrested under a new anti-terror law. A leading Swazi democracy campaigner is due in court after becoming the first person arrested under a new anti-terrorism law.
Police arrested Mario Masuko, who leads the People's United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), for alleged possession of weapons-making materials, his son said.Police arrested Mario Masuko, who leads the People's United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), for alleged possession of weapons-making materials, his son said.
Authorities banned Pudemo and three other groups under the anti-terrorism act on Friday and Mr Masuko was arrested at his home over the weekend. He said he did not believe there were any such materials at his father's home, which police raided on Saturday.
Swaziland is one of the world's last absolute monarchies.Swaziland is one of the world's last absolute monarchies.
The tiny kingdom held its first elections under a new constitution in September, but political parties were not allowed to participate.The tiny kingdom held its first elections under a new constitution in September, but political parties were not allowed to participate.
The idea is not to punish eminent political opponents, it is to punish entities and persons involved in terrorist acts Majahenkhaba DlaminiAttorney-General
Following the poll, authorities said they had discovered a number of bomb plots, including one failed attack near one of King Mswati III's royal palaces.Following the poll, authorities said they had discovered a number of bomb plots, including one failed attack near one of King Mswati III's royal palaces.
Authorities banned Pudemo and three other groups under the anti-terrorism act on Friday.
Swazi Attorney-General Majahenkhaba Dlamini said the groups targeted under the new law were "associated with terrorist acts".Swazi Attorney-General Majahenkhaba Dlamini said the groups targeted under the new law were "associated with terrorist acts".
He said he could not talk further about the evidence, but denied the law was being used to silence critics.He said he could not talk further about the evidence, but denied the law was being used to silence critics.
"The idea is not to punish eminent political opponents, it is to punish entities and persons involved in terrorist acts," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme."The idea is not to punish eminent political opponents, it is to punish entities and persons involved in terrorist acts," he told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
Mr Masuko is a veteran campaigner for multi-party politics. 'Window dressing'
Mr Masuko has been campaigning for multi-party politics for many years.
He was acquitted on treason charges in 2002, after allegedly calling for the overthrow of the monarchy.He was acquitted on treason charges in 2002, after allegedly calling for the overthrow of the monarchy.
"We will let the court deal with this matter and see what the government has to put against my father," his son said.
King Mswati has been in power since 1986.
Though he remains popular with many Swazis, opposition from pro-democracy groups has been growing.
Critics point to the king's lavish lifestyle in a country where most live in poverty, and have accused him of failing to tackle an Aids epidemic.
Mr Masuko dismissed the recent elections as a "window-dressing exercise trying to pull wool over the eyes of the international community".