Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Vocal Africa Chief Executive Officer Hussein Khalid and journalist-activist Hanifa Adan were detained at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and denied entry into Tanzania early Monday under unclear circumstances.
The three had travelled to attend the court session of Tanzanian opposition politician and former presidential candidate Tundu Lissu, but were stopped by authorities upon arrival.
They remained in custody for hours without formal explanation. "We, Willy Mutunga, Hanifa Adan and I, have been detained at Julius Nyerere Airport, Dar es Salaam, as we came in for the observance of Tundu Lissu's case," said Khalid. "The trip was in solidarity with Tanzanian lawyers and human rights defenders.
They have not given reasons for the detention," he added.
