Zambia president vows legal fight against British writer
 |
Clarke, shown in December, has been in hiding since the deportation order was issued.
Story Tools
YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS
|
Follow the news that matters to you. Create your own alert to be notified on topics you're interested in.
Or, visit Popular Alerts for suggestions.
|
|
LUSAKA, Zambia (Reuters) -- Zambia's president vowed on Thursday to "fight in court" a British writer facing deportation after he called the head of state an elephant.
President Levy Mwanawasa told a news briefing that British satirical writer Roy Clarke, who won a court order on Tuesday blocking the deportation order against him, had shown persistent defiance.
"It is unfortunate that he (Clarke) has continued to issue derogatory remarks through the press, and instead of talking to us he has decided to go to court...we will fight him in court," Mwanawasa told a news briefing.
Clarke, who has also called two government ministers "baboons," wrote another column on Thursday depicting himself as a baboon being harassed by a giant man looking more like a "dinosaur."
Clarke has gone into hiding and lawyer Patrick Matibini told high court judge Philip Musonda on Thursday that the writer would remain in a secret location because there was no assurance the state would not deport him.
"The state still desires to implement its decision (deportation) when it is up to this court to determine the matter and we prefer that the status quo remains," Matibini said, in reference to Clarke's hiding.
Legal Affairs Minister George Kunda said Clarke should come out of hiding so that he could be detained while the court hearing continued.
"He must hand himself over and be incarcerated while the due process of the law takes its course," said Kunda, who doubles as Attorney General.
Clarke, who writes for the privately owned Post daily, faces deportation for referring to Mwanawasa as a "foolish elephant" and two ministers as "baboons" in his column known as the "Spectator" a week ago. The article coincided with a visit by Mwanawasa to a game park for his Christmas holiday.
The Briton, who holds a permanent resident permit and is married to a Zambian woman, has regularly annoyed authorities with his satirical column, which portrays government leaders as living lavishly in the impoverished southern African country of 10 million people.
Solicitor-General Sunday Nkonde told reporters state prosecutors and Matibini had agreed later in chambers that Clarke should remain in hiding until the case is over. The case was adjourned to January 26.
Copyright 2004
Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
