A group of Tanzanian Muslims who have been in prison since 2013 stripped naked on Tuesday in protest, to demand the start of their trial.
Some 60 Muslims were detained nearly five years ago following a series of deadly attacks in Arusha, a mainly Christian city in the north, but they have yet to go on trial, AFP reports.
The report said that a witness said that the incident happened on Tuesday when the group was on its way to court for a procedural hearing.
“Of the 60 accused in the bus, 19 got out completely naked, taking everyone by surprise,” the witness said.
According to the witness, the detainees were heard shouting that they were tired of the delays in finishing the investigation which has affected their trial process.
The men were asked to dress up, with the court stating that only those dressed would be allowed to appear.
Prosecutor Augustine Kombo explained to the court that the investigation was still on-going; hence the next hearing was set for January 30.
In March 2017, the suspects — among them preachers — threatened to boycott any future hearings and complained their families had been barred from visiting them until the start of their trial, the report said.
