Coup Accusers Say They Were Tortured

Two detained army officers told a court in Lusaka, the capital, that state agents tortured them to make them falsely implicate former President Kenneth D. Kaunda and other politicians in October’s failed coup. Capt. Jackson Chiti said he was in such pain during the torture sessions that he implicated Kaunda and other opposition leaders. Another witness, Maj. Musonda Kangwa, said he also was tortured to make him implicate politicians. Chiti said he withdrew his confessions when the torture ended. Kaunda, 73, was jailed without charge Dec. 25 and later placed under house arrest.