The 27 United Party for National Development (UPND) members who were arrested on Sunday for unlawful assembly have been released from police custody. Copperbelt Province Commissioner of Police Charity Katanga said in an interview yesterday that the UPND members were released yesterday after they each paid a K50 fine.

“All the 27 members have been released from police custody after paying admission of guilt fines for conduct likely to cause a breach of peace,” Mrs Katanga said. They held a meeting at house number KC27/27 in Kamatipa Township without informing the police. Copperbelt UPND chairman Elisha Matambo said his members were released around 14:00 hours.

Mr Matambo said it is unfortunate that the UPND members were merely having an indoor meeting about a fundraising venture they were planning to hold. He said the members have always followed the law and seek police permission whenever they want to hold a public meeting