VZCZCXRO8963
RR RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHLG #0307 1541334
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021334Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5279
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0259
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000307 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR AF/S - ELIZABETH PELLETREAU 
MCC FOR DIEDRA FAIR 
LONDON FOR PETER LORD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PINS KDEM ASEC MI
SUBJECT: MALAWI: FORMER PRESIDENT MALUZI RELEASED ON BAIL, RALLY 
PREVENTED BY POLICE 
 
REF: A) LILONGWE 294, B) LILONGWE 286 
 
¶1. (SBU): Summary: On May 30, former president Bakili Muluzi was 
granted bail and released from house arrest. Muluzi was arrested on 
May 25 upon his return from the UK (ref A) as a suspect in an 
alleged coup plot, but was never charged.  The High Court in its 
ruling cited the case of the previous nine suspects (ref B) who were 
granted bail last week and said the evidence did not meet the 
required standards to further detain Muluzi.  On May 31, Muluzi 
visited supporters in Lilongwe who had been hurt the day of his 
arrest, but on June 1, police once again surrounded the house of 
Muluzi, preventing him from holding a rally in Blantyre.  Muluzi 
supporters threw stones in response leading police to use tear gas 
to break up the crowds.  Police defended their actions, saying they 
did not receive official word that Muluzi's house arrest had been 
terminated.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (U) On May 30, The High Court granted bail to former president 
Bakili Muluzi, ending his house arrest.  Muluzi was arrested May 25 
on suspicion of being involved in a plot to overthrow president 
Bingu wa Mutharika.  Muluzi remained under house arrest for five 
days while the High Court in Blantyre considered his application for 
bail.  In the ruling, Justice Manyungwa cited the May 20 case of the 
nine other suspects in the alleged coup, and reconfirmed that the 
presented evidence did not meet the standards to hold Muluzi 
further.  Muluzi was required to pay $1400 USD bail, must report to 
the police once a month, and inform the commissioner of Southern 
Region police headquarters whenever he plans to leave Blantyre.  The 
Judge further stated that he will dismiss all bail conditions in 
three months if the state fails to charge Muluzi, take him to court, 
or inform him about the accusations against him. 
 
¶3. (U) On May 31, Muluzi used his new found freedom to visit 
supporters in Lilongwe who had been hurt the day of his arrest, but 
on June 1, police once again surrounded his house, preventing him 
from holding a rally in Blantyre's township of Ndirande.  Muluzi's 
son reported that heavily-armed police officers were instructed to 
seal off the area until the house arrest has officially been lifted. 
Supporters from the United Democratic Front Young Democrats threw 
stones at the police but were quickly overpowered.  Anti-riot police 
fired teargas to drive opposition party supporters away from the 
area and to prevent further demonstrations.  Police defended their 
actions, saying they did not receive official word that Muluzi's 
house arrest had been terminated.  Muluzi's lawyers claimed that the 
police are in contempt of court and will pursue further legal 
remedies. 
 
¶4. (SBU) Comment: Despite the high profile arrests, the government 
of Malawi has been unable to provide credible evidence of the 
treason claims.  The High Court continues to uphold due process, 
forcing the government to make a case.  The prevention of Muluzi's 
June 1 rally contiues to bolster Muluzi's claims of harassment, and 
will further unite the United Democratic Front and its supporters 
behind him. 
 
EASTHAM