Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) has called for the immediate release of activist Bon Kalindo who is still in police detention despite the Chief Lilongwe Magistrate Court ordering his release yesterday.

In a statement issued today and made available to this publication, CHRR Executive Director Michael Kaiyatsa faults the police for the continued detention of Kalindo.

“We condemn the police actions in no uncertain terms and call for his immediate release. The people of Malawi should be allowed to peacefully demonstrate and express their political views…without persecution,” reads part of the statement.

The statement adds that the timing of Kalindo’s arrest is suspicious and was a deliberate ploy by police to frustrate the peaceful demonstrations which Kalindo was expected to lead in Lilongwe on Wednesday.

Kalindo is still in custody at Nkhunga Police Unit in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota.