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Mzuzu Magistrate Court Wednesday granted bail to 12 of the 17 men who were arrested last week for causing havoc soon after nation-wide peaceful demonstrations organized by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
Earlier, police released five of them after finding no incriminating evidence against them.
The 12 are answering charges of malicious damage and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.
State Prosecutor, Lloyd Makweche, told the court that the suspects, whose age range is 16-24, threw stones at police officers on duty soon after the demonstrations and were arrested.
All the 12 suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Makweche asked the court to give police three days to complete investigations and begin parade of witnesses.
Senior Resident Magistrate Peter Kandulu then granted bail to all of them.
“All the suspects will be required to pay an amount of K20, 000 and avail themselves to police once a month until they get communication on when they will begin court appearance,” Kandulu said.
