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Zambia's Chiluba unfit for trial | Zambia's Chiluba unfit for trial |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Zambia's ex-President Frederick Chiluba is not medically fit to stand trial on corruption charges, a court has ruled. | |
A medical examination was ordered after his personal doctor told the court that Mr Chiluba needed a heart transplant. | A medical examination was ordered after his personal doctor told the court that Mr Chiluba needed a heart transplant. |
The state has been ordered to release Mr Chiluba's passport immediately so he can seek treatment in South Africa. | The state has been ordered to release Mr Chiluba's passport immediately so he can seek treatment in South Africa. |
The former leader and two businessmen deny charges connected to the alleged disappearance of $488,000 from state funds during his time in office. | The former leader and two businessmen deny charges connected to the alleged disappearance of $488,000 from state funds during his time in office. |
Mr Chiluba was elected in 1991 and led Zambia for 10 years. | Mr Chiluba was elected in 1991 and led Zambia for 10 years. |
He was not in court when the ruling was made. | He was not in court when the ruling was made. |
Suspended | Suspended |
The trial has been stalled for almost nine months after the former president fell ill. | The trial has been stalled for almost nine months after the former president fell ill. |
The BBC's Musonda Chibamba in Zambia says the trial is only suspended and Mr Chiluba is still set to face the corruption charges when he returns home. | The BBC's Musonda Chibamba in Zambia says the trial is only suspended and Mr Chiluba is still set to face the corruption charges when he returns home. |
She says the court is still to decide whether to continue the case against the two other accused or wait until Mr Chiluba is better. | She says the court is still to decide whether to continue the case against the two other accused or wait until Mr Chiluba is better. |
Earlier charges against the former president, involving the disappearance of $35m, were dropped in Zambia but were revived last year in a UK court. | Earlier charges against the former president, involving the disappearance of $35m, were dropped in Zambia but were revived last year in a UK court. |
His handpicked successor, President Levy Mwanawasa, has been pursuing an anti-corruption drive against Mr Chiluba's former government. | His handpicked successor, President Levy Mwanawasa, has been pursuing an anti-corruption drive against Mr Chiluba's former government. |
Mr Mwanawasa said that he would grant a presidential pardon to Mr Chiluba if he admitted the allegations of corruption and returned 75% of the cash he allegedly stole. | Mr Mwanawasa said that he would grant a presidential pardon to Mr Chiluba if he admitted the allegations of corruption and returned 75% of the cash he allegedly stole. |
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