Zambian authorities have released several Egyptians who were arrested in connection with a mysterious plane carrying gold, cash, and weapons after prosecutors dropped charges against them on Friday.
Five Egyptians faced espionage charges after their chartered aircraft landed in Lusaka last month, and six Zambians were also arrested on the same charges. During the investigation, authorities in the southern African country reported discovering 127 kilograms (280 pounds) of “suspected gold,” a small cache of firearms, 126 rounds of ammunition, and nearly $5.7 million on board, all of which were subsequently seized by Zambian authorities.
In an unexpected turn of events on Friday, the espionage charges against all the Egyptians and one Zambian were dropped, with little explanation provided. Magistrate Davies Chimbwili, presiding over a court hearing in Lusaka, announced, “You are all hereby discharged.”
However, drug and law enforcement authorities reported that two of the Egyptian individuals were later re-arrested on unspecified “lesser charges” and granted bail.
The 11 suspects originally faced the possibility of up to 30 years in jail for allegedly entering a restricted zone at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in the capital.
Five Zambian nationals among the suspects remain in custody, awaiting trial on espionage charges.
Following the court hearing, one of the Egyptian suspects, Micheal Adel Micheal Batros, briefly addressed reporters, stating, “This is not a time to mention anything,” before leaving on a bus.
Court documents viewed by AFP identified a former Egyptian military personnel and businessman, along with a Zambian police officer, among those initially detained.
Additionally, an independent Egyptian journalist who was apprehended in Cairo in connection with reports implicating officials in smuggling cash, weapons, and gold was subsequently released.
Egyptian state media reported that the plane in question was privately owned and had only transited through Cairo.
