MALAWI: Malawi's former leader Muluzi says his corruption charges are politically motivated

Record ID: 455426

  • Title: MALAWI: Malawi's former leader Muluzi says his corruption charges are politically motivated
  • Date: 28th February 2009
  • Summary: BLANTYRE, MALAWI (FEBRUARY 26, 2009) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS OF BAKILI MULUZI, FORMER MALAWI PRESIDENT, SINGING ANTI-GOVERNMENT SONGS SOLDIERS WATCHING MULUZI SUPPORTERS VARIOUS OF SUPPORTERS OF BAKILI MULUZI, FORMER MALAWI PRESIDENT, SINGING ANTI-GOVERNMENT SONGS (SOUNDBITE) (English) BAKILI MULUZI, FORMER MALAWI PRESIDENT, SAYING: "The monies which they will be talking about, Dr. Mutharika, believe me, he did not have resources to campaign even in 2004, right. It was me with my own resources that I campaigned for him. So to turn around now and say 'Where did you get the money to campaign in 2004? I think it is unfair." MULUZI'S SUPPORTERS SINGING MULUZI'S CAR ARRIVING AT COURT (SOUNDBITE) (English) BAKILI MULUZI, FORMER MALAWI PRESIDENT, SAYING: "This matter has been there since five years ago. Why would they want to bring it now? But you know I believe in the rule of law myself. If they want to ask me questions...and let me make a correction through you Reuters, look. People talk about that how Muluzi took donor money. No donor in the world would give money to a single person." MULUZI'S CAR ARRIVING AT COURT (SOUNDBITE) (English) BAKILI MULUZI, FORMER MALAWI PRESIDENT, SAYING: "Every political party has got a responsibility to raise funding for its party. It does. There is nowhere else that you hear that governments of the world would be writing checks to an individual. It never happens. But these are matters which I am sure will be in court and I am prepared to give those kind of answers. But all what I am saying is, I think it is political." MULUZI LEAVING COURT / SUPPORTERS CHEERING
  • Embargoed: 15th March 2009 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Malawi
  • Country: Malawi
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA1RZE065I9I71KRGZARGLQTNZB
  • Story Text: Former Malawian president Bakili Muluzi, accused of siphoning aid money to pay for previous election campaigns, is released on bail and calls his arrest political.
    Malawi on Thursday (February 26) arrested former leader Bakili Muluzi on charges of stealing millions of dollars given to the country by international donors, in a case that could damage his bid to run for president again this year. He was released on bail later on Thursday.
    The country's Anti-Corruption Bureau has been investigating Muluzi -- president of the southern African country for 10 years until 2004 -- for two years on allegations of siphoning money from Taiwan, Morocco, Libya and other donors. He denies any wrongdoing.
    Muluzi, the opposition United Democratic Front's (UDF) candidate for the May 19 presidential election, stepped down in 2004 after unsuccessfully trying to change the constitution to allow him to stand again. But he remains a powerful political force.
    However incumbent Bingu Wa Mutharika is expected to win after presiding over four years of economic growth.

    "The monies which they will be talking about, Dr. Mutharika, believe me, he did not have resources to campaign even in 2004, right. It was me with my own resources that I campaigned for him. So to turn around now and say 'Where did you get the money to campaign in 2004? I think it is unfair," Muluzi said.
    It is not clear if the case will prevent him contesting the poll.

    "This matter has been there since five years ago. Why would they want to bring it now? But you know I believe in the rule of law myself. If they want to ask me questions...and let me make a correction through you Reuters, look. People talk about that how Muluzi took donor money. No donor in the world would give money to a single person," Muluzi added.
    Wa Mutharika's rule has been troubled since he took office in 2004 after winning an election marred by violence and accusations of ballot-rigging.
    Muluzi says the case is just Wa Mutharika's latest attempt to swing votes in his favour.

    "Every political party has got a responsibility to raise funding for its party. It does. There is nowhere else that you hear that governments of the world would be writing checks to an individual. It never happens. But these are matters which I am sure will be in court and I am prepared to give those kind of answers. But all what I am saying is, I think it is political," Muluzi said.
    Malawi's economy had been enjoying a modest boom, but was hit last year by food and fuel costs.
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