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| Zambia ex-leader verdict delayed | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A verdict in the long-running corruption case against Zambia's former president, Frederick Chiluba, has been delayed by a court in the country. | |
| A BBC correspondent at the court in Lusaka said the case had been adjourned until Monday. | |
| Mr Chiluba is accused of stealing half a million dollars in public funds during his 10-year presidency, which ended in 2001. He denies the charges. | Mr Chiluba is accused of stealing half a million dollars in public funds during his 10-year presidency, which ended in 2001. He denies the charges. |
| He faces jail of up to five years if found guilty. | |
| His wife was jailed in March for receiving stolen funds. | |
| Mr Chiluba's immunity from prosecution was lifted in 2003 by the man he had personally picked to succeed him as president, Levy Mwananasa, who died last year. | Mr Chiluba's immunity from prosecution was lifted in 2003 by the man he had personally picked to succeed him as president, Levy Mwananasa, who died last year. |
| The 63-year-old's health problems - including acute cardiac complications and kidney failure - have prolonged the case. | |
| 'Racist ruling' | 'Racist ruling' |
| In a separate case two years ago, the High Court in Britain found Mr Chiluba guilty of defrauding the Zambian government of tens of millions of dollars using London-based bank accounts. | In a separate case two years ago, the High Court in Britain found Mr Chiluba guilty of defrauding the Zambian government of tens of millions of dollars using London-based bank accounts. |
| At the time, the judge said Zambians should know that when the former president appeared wearing his trademark designer clothes, they were paid for with public funds. | At the time, the judge said Zambians should know that when the former president appeared wearing his trademark designer clothes, they were paid for with public funds. |
| Mr Chiluba has refused to accept the ruling, labelling it "racist". | Mr Chiluba has refused to accept the ruling, labelling it "racist". |
| Zambia's High Court is currently considering whether the UK judgement can be enforced in Zambia. | Zambia's High Court is currently considering whether the UK judgement can be enforced in Zambia. |
| Regina Chiluba was jailed for three and a half years in March after being found guilty of receiving stolen state funds to buy three houses and a commercial property while her husband was in office. | Regina Chiluba was jailed for three and a half years in March after being found guilty of receiving stolen state funds to buy three houses and a commercial property while her husband was in office. |
| She is appealing against the sentence. | She is appealing against the sentence. |