BLANTYRE, Malawi -- The lawyer for an outspoken opponent of Malawi's president says his client has been moved from jail to a hospital, where he is being treated under police guard for a heart ailment.

Ralph Kasambara's lawyer Wapona Kita said he went with him to a hospital early Saturday. Kita says doctors say Kasambara "has developed a serious cardiac condition."

Kasambara was arrested Monday, accused of kidnapping and torturing three men he told reporters had confessed they had been sent by the government to firebomb his office. The government denies Kasambara's accusations. Kasambara denies the charges against him.

Kasambara's arrest came days after weekly newspapers quoted him saying President Bingu wa Mutharika "wants to be a dictator" and should be impeached.