Luanda: The Luanda District Court (TCL) commenced the trial on Tuesday of Angolan and Russian citizens accused of espionage, terrorism, and criminal association by the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP). The hearing took place in the 3rd section of the common crimes courtroom, at the Dona Ana Joaquina Palace, in Luanda, and was marked by the reading of the defense's preliminary questions.

According to Angola Press News Agency, the session on Tuesday involved raising preliminary questions that were deemed significant by both the defense and the Public Prosecutor's Office. The court was requested to suspend the hearing to allow these questions to be addressed. Lawyer David Guz, speaking to the press, indicated that the court, in agreement with both parties, decided to suspend and reschedule the hearing for April 14. This pause aims to clarify the preliminary questions and prepare for the subsequent production of evidence.

The accused include two Russian citizens, Igor Ratchin Mihailovich and Lev Matveech Lakstanov, who face 11 charges each, and two Angolan citizens. Among them is journalist Amor Carlos Tome, formerly associated with TPA, who faces nine charges. Francisco Oliveira, the mobilization secretary of JURA, the youth wing of UNITA, is charged with five crimes. The charges include criminal association and terrorism, linked to an international group's alleged aim to destabilize states and governments, particularly in Africa.

The four accused were arrested in August last year in Luanda following a taxi drivers' strike that escalated into acts of vandalism. The hearing will involve testimony from 12 witnesses, including journalists from various media outlets.