Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema

Zambian opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, who has been held in custody for four months, pleaded not guilty to treason charges on Monday as the start date of his trial was set for Wednesday, his party said.

Hichilema "pleaded not guilty", the United Party for National Development (UPND) said on its Twitter feed, after several reporters from foreign media outlets were barred from the court in Lusaka.