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Ex-Malawi leader on theft charges Ex-Malawi leader on theft charges
(about 17 hours later)
Ex-Malawian President Bakili Muluzi has been arrested, accused of stealing $11m (£7.7m) in donor money, says the country's Anti-Corruption Bureau. Ex-Malawian President Bakili Muluzi has appeared in court accused of stealing $11m (£7.7m) in donor money.
The ACB said Mr Muluzi had been charged on 80 counts of allegedly siphoning aid cash into his private account. Mr Muluzi was charged on 80 counts of allegedly siphoning aid cash into his private account.
The former president is due to appear at a court in Blantyre, where hundreds of his supporters have gathered. The 66-year-old was arrested earlier after turning himself in to the Anti-Corruption Bureau in Blantyre.
Mr Muluzi, a candidate in May polls, denies any wrongdoing and has disputed the legality of the ACB investigation. Mr Muluzi, who denies any wrongdoing, is to stand in a presidential election in May. The authorities denied claims the case was politically motivated.
The BBC's Raphael Tenthani in Blantyre says the ex-president was arrested after appearing at the anti-graft bureau on Thursday morning to answer the allegations against him. The BBC's Raphael Tenthani in Blantyre says dozens of riot police surrounded the court in the city centre on Thursday, to stop up to 1,000 Muluzi supporters reaching the building.
'Right to remain silent' It has nothing to do with the presidential campaign Hetherwick NtabaPresidential advisor class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/3586807.stm">Muluzi faces moving on
He says around 50 armed police and nearly 1,000 supporters of Mr Muluzi, who is not in custody, have gathered outside the magistrates' court in the city. He says Mr Muluzi was charged along with his former personal assistant, Liness Whisky, and both were forced to surrender their passports to receive bail.
I think the political stratagem is fairly obvious Rafiq HajatPolitical analyst class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/3586807.stm">Muluzi faces moving on "This is all political but Dr Muluzi will defend himself," Fahad Assani, a lawyer representing the former president, told our correspondent.
The former president's lawyer Jai Banda told AFP news agency his client had "exercised his right to remain silent" when questioned by the ACB.
Mr Muluzi, who ruled the poor southern African nation from 1994 to 2004, was first arrested over the allegations in 2006 but the then-director of public prosecutions threw out the charges.Mr Muluzi, who ruled the poor southern African nation from 1994 to 2004, was first arrested over the allegations in 2006 but the then-director of public prosecutions threw out the charges.
His supporters say the case is politically-motivated to stop him standing in the forthcoming presidential election. The latest inquiry comes amid fears violence could flare before the forthcoming presidential election.
The inquiry comes amid concern that violence could flare before the forthcoming presidential election.
The former presidents of Mozambique, Joacquim Chissano, and Ghana, John Kufuor, were in Malawi on Wednesday to try to calm tensions.The former presidents of Mozambique, Joacquim Chissano, and Ghana, John Kufuor, were in Malawi on Wednesday to try to calm tensions.
Current Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika fell out with Mr Muluzi 'Obvious stratagem'
Henry Mvula, Mr Muluzi's aide, earlier told the BBC's Network Africa programme the former Malawian president had nothing to hide and dismissed the case as a witch-hunt. An adviser to the current head of state, Bingu wa Mutharika, denied the charges against Mr Muluzi were politically motivated.
He said it was "meant to keep someone so busy within the context of the courtroom" in a "typical African way of running away from competition". Hetherwick Ntaba told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme: "It has nothing to do with the presidential campaign.
Malawi political analyst Rafiq Hajat told Network Africa: "If a court case is initiated against a candidate, their candidacy is immediately put into doubt. I think the political stratagem is fairly obvious." "So what the supporters are telling or are saying has completely no basis whatsoever."
Opposition United Democratic Front leader Mr Muluzi plans to stand in May against current head of state, Bingu wa Mutharika. Current Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika fell out with Mr Muluzi But Henry Mvula, Mr Muluzi's aide, earlier told the BBC's Network Africa programme the case was a witch-hunt.
Mr Mutharika was Mr Muluzi's hand-picked successor but soon after he was elected, the pair fell out and Mr Mutharika formed his own party. And Malawi political analyst Rafiq Hajat told Network Africa: "If a court case is initiated against a candidate, their candidacy is immediately put into doubt. I think the political stratagem is fairly obvious."
Mr Muluzi, who is leader of the opposition United Democratic Front, plans to stand in May against Mr Mutharika.
He was Mr Muluzi's protege but soon after being elected, the pair fell out and Mr Mutharika formed his own party.