Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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May 5, 2009

Re-Arrest of Activists Sparks Tension in Zimbabwe Government
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=240EDF6:A6F02AD83191E160D5D366655B1A270998CBE7246176B735&
 
Court orders activists, including human rights campaigner Jestina
Mukoko, detained on charges of plotting to overthrow President Robert
Mugabe 
Zimbabwean human rights activist Jestina Mukoko arrives at magistrate's
court in Harare, 24 Dec 2008Zimbabwe's unity government is under fresh
strain after a judge revoked the bail of 18 opposition activists facing
charges of terrorism. The 18 activists, including human rights
campaigner Jestina Mukoko, were taken into police custody Tuesday after
prosecutors formally indicted them on charges stemming from an alleged
plot to overthrow President Robert Mugabe. The MDC party of Prime
Minister Morgan Tsvangirai quickly denounced the judge's ruling, saying
it threatens the life, health and longevity of Zimbabwe's inclusive
government. Defense lawyers for the activists say they will file new
bail applications. The activists had been freed on bail in March after
being arrested and held in secret last year on charges that included
terrorism, banditry, and sabotage. Mukoko and others say they were
tortured while in prison. Mukoko heads the Zimbabwe Peace Project. Her
arrest last year sparked an international outcry. The MDC and Mr.
Mugabe's ZANU-PF party formed a unity government in Februrary. The
government has made progress toward easing Zimbabwe's political and
economic crisis but the parties remain divided over power-sharing
issues.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.


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