He had previously declined to take part in a hearing on April 24, protesting the decision to conduct it virtually rather than in person. During that session, he appeared via video link from prison.

On Monday, Lissu arrived at the courtroom with his fist raised, greeted by chants of “No Reforms, No Election” from supporters. A video shared by his political party, CHADEMA, captured the moment. “We will be fine. You should not fear,” he said from the dock, flashing victory signs.

Lissu, who survived a shooting in 2017 and was the runner-up in the last presidential election, was accused last month of inciting rebellion through a speech calling for election disruption ahead of the upcoming polls in October.

His case is part of a wave of high-profile arrests that have raised concerns about the state of civil liberties under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who intends to run for another term. While the president maintains that the administration is committed to upholding human rights, critics argue otherwise.

CHADEMA has called for substantial electoral reforms, asserting that the current system is biased in favor of the ruling party. They have threatened to boycott the elections unless changes are made.

In a related development, several Kenyan human rights advocates, including well-known public figures, were reportedly blocked from entering Tanzania to attend the trial. Among them were former Justice Minister Martha Karua and ex-Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, who said they were stopped upon arrival at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and sent back to Nairobi.

Karua, speaking to Kenyan media, criticized the move, saying, “The state cannot be used as a personal tool. You cannot deport people simply because they disagree with you.”

Activist Hussein Khalid said on social media that he and others were being held for questioning at the airport and were expected to be deported.

Tanzanian immigration authorities have yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.

Tsehai, a well-known activist who has been critical of the Tanzanian government and President Hassan, was reportedly snatched by the armed men in the Kilimani neighborhood of Nairobi on Sunday afternoon. According to Amnesty International, the three men forcibly took Tsehai into a black car before disappearing from the scene.

After several hours of uncertainty, Tsehai was reportedly released, but the circumstances surrounding her abduction remain unclear. Her husband, who has spoken out against the incident, expressed fears that the abduction was a targeted attempt to intimidate his wife and silence her advocacy for human rights in Tanzania. He pointed fingers at the Tanzanian national intelligence service, suggesting their involvement in the kidnapping.

“We strongly believe this act was orchestrated by the Tanzanian authorities to intimidate Maria for her activism and outspoken criticism of President Samia Suluhu Hassan,” he said.

The abduction has sparked widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, which has called for an immediate investigation into the incident and the safety of activists critical of the Tanzanian government. The organization has also raised alarms about the increasing crackdown on dissent and freedom of expression in Tanzania under the current administration.

The Kenyan authorities have yet to make a statement on the incident, and no arrests have been made in connection with the abduction. Meanwhile, Tsehai’s supporters have rallied around her, condemning the kidnapping and reaffirming their commitment to standing with her in the fight for human rights and democracy.

The case has further strained relations between Tanzania and its neighboring countries, as activists and human rights groups across East Africa continue to express concern about the growing repression faced by those who challenge authoritarian regimes in the region.