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The Zimbabwean pastor accused of subversion against President Robert Mugabe’s government on Friday said he is open to the idea of running for office.

Pastor Evans Mawarire spoke outside a court in the capital, Harare, where his trial was postponed to March 16.

Mawarire was detained for more than a week after returning this month from the United States and is out on bail.

“There is a lot of conversations around a pastor running for public office. I don’t see any way where that is not allowed. I am first a citizen before I am a pastor,” said Mawarire, who was arrested and released last year after launching a social media movement known as #ThisFlag.

Mawarire event went ahead to organize protests in the United States after leaving Zimbabwe over security concerns.

He has been charged since his return with subverting a constitutionally elected government.

Mawarire has been repeatedly criticized by Mugabe, whose government has faced economic hardship and discontent among many Zimbabweans who say the 92-year-old leader has been in power too long.

Mugabe, who became leader in 1980, turns 93 next week. The ruling ZANU-PF party plans to use the occasion to rally support with a big party on Feb. 25.

The pastor said he would continue his anti-government activism despite what he described as “persecution” by the state.