France, March 10 -- The Central African Republic (CAR) defence ministry said the Doctors Without Borders (MSF) aid worker was arrested last Wednesday near the southeastern town of Zemio, suspected of "activities aimed at destabilising the security situation" in the region.

The ministry accused the suspect of having "contacts with criminal elements" and working towards "subversive agitation among the local population of the Azande ethnic group" to "turn them against the legally elected authorities" in the country.

In a statement released on Tuesday morning, MSF Switzerland confirmed its support for its employee Francois Zamparini and said it is working "to clarify this situation in collaboration with the competent authorities".

Zamparin...