A court in Uganda on Wednesday granted bail to the country s highest-profile human rights lawyer, whose detention ahead of a tense election next month was widely seen as politically motivated.
Nicholas Opiyo, an internationally-recognised human rights campaigner and outspoken government critic, was arrested last week on charges of money laundering and detained in prison, drawing condemnation from around the globe and strident calls for his immediate release.
Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga rejected the case made by state prosecutors for keeping Opiyo, 40, behind bars, instead granting him bail on condition his sureties paid the equivalent of a $4,100 ($3,340 euros) bond. We re glad that our client has been granted bail, Opiyo s lawyer David Mpanga told journalists outside the court.
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A court in Uganda on Wednesday granted bail to the country s highest-profile human rights lawyer, whose detention ahead of a tense election next month was widely seen as politically motivated.
Nicholas Opiyo, an internationally-recognised human rights campaigner and outspoken government critic, was arrested last week on charges of money laundering and detained in prison, drawing condemnation from around the globe and strident calls for his immediate release.
Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga rejected the case made by state prosecutors for keeping Opiyo, 40, behind bars, instead granting him bail on condition his sureties paid the equivalent of a $4,100 ($3,340 euros) bond.
December 30, 2020 02:58:33 pm
On Wednesday human rights activist and civil rights lawyer Nicholas Opiyo was freed on bail. Justice Jane Okuo Kajuga of the High Court ruled that Opiyo may be released from prison after making a cash deposit and surrendering his passport. Opiyo’s arrest on December 22 for allegedly violating the Anti-Money Laundering Act sparked worldwide criticism and concern. Ugandan authorities determined that Opiyo received funds for his organization, Chapter Four Uganda, that were procured via criminal activity.
Chapter Four Uganda, a nonprofit group that strives to protect the civil rights and liberties of Ugandans, released a statement on Monday urging the court to grant bail to Opiyo. The group called the charges ‘baseless’ and reiterated that Opiyo’s arrest was unlawful because a complete investigation did not occur prior to his detention, which is violative of Ugandan constitutional protections. Opiyo is the executive director of Chapter Four Uganda.