Patricia Kaliati, the opposition leader in Malawi, appeared in Lilongwe court on Monday facing charges of plotting to kill President Lazarus Chakwera.
Kaliati, who is the secretary-general of the United Transformation Movement (UTM), was arrested by police last Thursday for allegedly planning a serious crime.
She has been a member of Parliament since 1999 and has held various ministerial roles.
The UTM, previously allied with the government, left the ruling coalition following the death of former Vice President Saulos Chilima in a plane crash in June.
Kaliati’s lawyer, Khwima Mchizi, stated, “My client has chosen to remain silent as she believes in her innocence. We are just waiting for the court’s bail ruling.”
While Kaliati was in court, President Chakwera was swearing in a commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding Chilima’s death.
Kaliati is accused of conspiring with two others, Joseph Odala and Frank Chinedu, who are still at large.
The state prosecutor requested an additional seven days to complete the investigation, while Kaliati’s lawyer urged the court to release her, with or without bail, pending the investigation’s outcome.