Foreign journalists were barred when Hichilema and five others appeared in court yesterday to plead not guilty.

Amnesty International says treason charges against Hakainda Hichilema for allegedly putting President Edgar Lungu’s life in danger and later of planning to overthrow the state have been trumped up.

Hichilema, who lost a neck-and-neck Presidential race against Lungu a year ago, appeared in good health during his brief appearance yesterday.

Reports that he would be released have been at best premature.

Lawers persist that he will be released the weakness of the state’s case becomes apparent.

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