A fugitive Zambian MP with a bounty on his head has been arrested in Zimbabwe, Zambian authorities said.

Emmanuel “Jay Jay” Banda, who was facing robbery charges, is accused of escaping from custody in August while awaiting a court appearance.

He is said to have escaped through a window at Chipata Central Hospital in Eastern Province, where he had been admitted following his arrest and was guarded by police and prison officers.

Police then issued a 2 million Zambian kwacha ($72,000; £57,000) reward for him.

He denies the robbery charges.

At a press conference on Wednesday, the Zambian Home Affairs Minister said the MP was arrested earlier this week in Harare.

Jack Mwiimbu said the MP was arrested by Zimbabwean police in an apartment he had rented and would remain there pending extradition formalities.

He said the government was keen to find out who facilitated the MP’s escape as well as his wife’s visits to Harare.

He thanked the Zimbabwean authorities for their cooperation.

The opposition Patriotic Front (PF) party, led by former president Edgar Lungu, condemned what he called an “emerging and worrying scenario”.

Banda, who is an independent MP from 2021, was previously associated with Lungu, who lost the presidency to Hakainde Hichilema that year.

PF spokesperson Emmanuel Mwamba said what was happening was “a kidnapping”, adding that the government should follow “internationally prescribed extradition protocols”.

“We urge the Zambian government not to join other African countries that are known to go to other jurisdictions and pick and pull a citizen they want to commit crimes,” he told the BBC.

The BBC has asked the Zambian government for a response.

On Thursday, Zambian police said Interpol in Harare had confirmed Banda was in their custody and requested extradition documents.

He noted that Banda had, in a preliminary interview with Interpol, denied the allegations, “suggesting that he was being targeted because of his family ties” to Lungu. This prompted a request for clarification on the allegations, which Zambia provided.

Zambia police added that preparations to “finalize and submit the necessary documents to (Interpol in) Harare are ongoing” and further updates will be given in due course.

In May of this year, Banda was reported missing under unclear circumstances. He reappeared a day later, saying he had been kidnapped.

At least three opposition politicians and a civil rights activist were arrested in the case.

Two of those arrested – Edith Nawakwi, leader of the opposition Forum for Development and Democracy party and civil rights activist Brebner Changala – accused the state of being behind the kidnappings.

However, the Ministry of the Interior denied the state’s involvement in this issue.

There was speculation on social media that the kidnapping was staged, which was denied by Banda’s family.

The gang were later arrested in June this year and charged with the non-bailable offense of aggravated robbery in connection with the theft of goods worth 12,000 kwacha ($430; £340) in 2015.

He faces additional charges of escaping from lawful custody.

But Mr Mwamba told the BBC the allegations were “politically motivated”.

“Hon Jay Jay Banda is one of those members of parliament who are close to the former president whom this government is relentlessly pursuing.”

He said the case was a decade ago and had been tried in court before, adding that the charges were designed to prevent him from telling the truth about the kidnapping.

He said that at the time of his alleged escape, he was hospitalized due to a medical condition following his abduction.

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