Mozambique: Charges Against Mondlane’s Treasurer Raise Legal Concerns

Gloria Nobre Chire, treasurer to Venancio Mondlane, has been charged with crimes against state security. Arrested illegally and denied contact with her family, Chire’s case raises serious legal concerns. Her lawyer contest the validity of the arrest warrant, claiming it was executed without proper notification. Mondlane labels Chire a political prisoner amidst a backdrop of alleged political harassment.

The Mozambican Public Prosecutor’s Office has charged Gloria Nobre Chire, treasurer to former presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, with crimes against state security and criminal conspiracy. These allegations were confirmed by Chire’s lawyer, Mutota Escova, in a report from the independent news outlet “Mediafax.”

Chire was arrested at her residence in the Alto Mae region of Maputo and was held for 48 hours without legal counsel, denying her any contact with her family. Multiple attempts by three different lawyers to reach her were thwarted by the police, which led to a violation of her legal rights. Only through the intervention of the Mozambican Bar Association were her family and lawyer able to communicate with her.

According to her lawyer, the detention was unlawful, as the arrest warrant presented to him was dated for February and had not been previously disclosed to Chire. He expressed confusion regarding the timing of the warrant’s execution, stating, “There’s a warrant from February and it’s strange that only now have they decided to execute this warrant.”

To secure Chire’s legal representation, the Ordem dos Advogados de Moçambique (OAM) reached out to the Attorney-General’s Office (PGR), allowing lawyers access to Chire post-intervention. Carlos Martins, chairperson of OAM, reported that this action led to family members ultimately gaining access to her.

Mondlane has characterized Chire as “a political prisoner” who is facing significant “political harassment.” Meanwhile, the authorities have yet to elaborate on the specific nature of the charges related to the alleged security offences.

The situation of Gloria Nobre Chire highlights concerning issues related to legal rights, police conduct, and political dynamics in Mozambique. With the lack of clarity surrounding the charges and the alleged mishandling of her detention, it raises significant questions about the state’s legal processes and the protection of individual rights. This case underscores the potential misuse of legal systems in politically charged environments.

Original Source: clubofmozambique.com