Police in Zambia have released a leader of the opposition who was arrested last week for defaming President Edgar Lungu.

Saviour Chishimba of United Progressive Party, (UPP) was arrested on the premises of a privately-owned television station where he had gone for an interview.

But after spending a week in police cells, he has now walked free and his case discontinued.

His release comes five days before the start of the trial of Zambia’s main opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema, who was arrested in April and charged with treason after his convoy allegedly failed to give way to President Lungu’s motorcade.