Malawi's former leader Bakili Muluzi has told the BBC he will continue to campaign for next year's presidential elections despite efforts to stop him.
Mr Muluzi was released on bail on Friday, five days after his arrest for allegedly plotting to overthrow the current government.
He said he was prevented from attending a rally on Sunday by armed police who surrounded his house.
Police fired tear gas to break up a crowd of his supporters.
His supporters threw stones at riot police at the rally in a slum area near the commercial capital Blantyre.
"I can't just be locked up in this house," he told the BBC.
"I'm a presidential candidate for the 2009 elections and I have to go around and campaign."
"It is important for me to address the people of Malawi and I will do that," he added.
Mr Mutharika fell out with his predecessor after becoming president
Mr Muluzi was president from 1994 to 2004 and wants to stand in next year's election against President Bingu wa Mutharika.
Earlier this month, President Mutharika accused his predecessor of being behind a plot to remove him from office by 16 May.
In April, Mr Muluzi won a contest to be named the presidential candidate of the United Democratic Front (UDF) in next year's polls.
It is not clear if he would be eligible to stand, as the constitution bans a president from more than two consecutive terms.
President Mutharika was elected as the UDF candidate in 2004 but soon afterwards fell out with Mr Muluzi and formed his own party.
He said his former political associates were opposed to his anti-corruption drive.
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