Prosecutors in Tanzania charged 98 people with treason on Friday for alleged involvement in violent protests that broke out during last weeks general election , according to court filings seen by Reuters.
The main opposition party, CHADEMA, and some human rights activists say that security forces killed more than 1,000 people. The government has called those numbers exaggerated without offering its own death toll.
The charges are the first against people accused of having participated in the protests. A church leader said the move would only deepen the acrimony sparked by the election. Religious leaders and others have urged the government to try to reconcile with political opponents and protesters.