Zimbabwe lawyers released on bail

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By Staff Reporter

A HARARE magistrate on Monday released on bail two Zimbabwean human rights lawyers in a case activists say is part of a widening crackdown on government opponents.

Alec Muchadehama and Andrew Makoni, members of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), were charged with obstructing justice after their arrest on Friday, the group said.

"The two have been released on $500 000 bail each and they will appear in court on Tuesday when we will make an application for refusal of further remand," Irene Petra, of the ZLHR said. "They were charged with ... defeating or obstructing the course of justice."

The two were on a legal team that represented opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and several dozen other Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) officials after they were arrested in March and assaulted for defying an official ban on rallies.

Human rights groups have accused President Robert Mugabe's government of widespread human rights abuses.

The government has threatened to react strongly against opposition forces Mugabe accuses of trying to topple the veteran leader on behalf of Zimbabwe's former colonial master Britain.

Last month, the government launched a crackdown on the MDC, accusing it of a "terrorist campaign" of petrol bombings. The opposition denies the charge.

Analysts expect the government to step up pressure on all its opponents ahead of general elections next year.

Mugabe, 83, has been in power since white rule ended in 1980 and has been endorsed by his Zanu PF party to run again for president in the elections, which the opposition says it may boycott.

The government has threatened to expel Western diplomats Mugabe accuses of supporting the opposition, and to ban non-governmental organisations he says are funding opposition politics. - Reuters
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