Veteran Ugandan opposition politician Kizza Besigye has been charged with treason in a civilian court after his controversial case was transferred from a military tribunal. Treason is a capital offence in Uganda and if found guilty the 68-year-old cold be sentenced to death.

A Ugandan court charged opposition leader Kizza Besigye with treason over an alleged plot to end President Yoweri Museveni’s four-decade rule of the East African nation.

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) — A prominent opposition figure facing military trial in Uganda will be charged before a civilian court instead, an official said Monday, as authorities faced mounting pressure to free him.

Supporters, activists and others have said the 68-year-old needs medical care and should be removed from prison.

The Commonwealth called on Tuesday for Uganda, a member of the 56-nation group, to release opposition politician Kizza Besigye, saying his detention undermined democracy and human rights.

Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has been charged with treason, in an escalation of legal troubles stemming from allegations he plotted to remove the country’s long-time leader by force