-News for Sun. 31 March & Mon. 01
April 2002 Zimbabwe Journalist Freed After Court Order
VOA News 1
Apr 2002 16:34 UTC
 
Zimbabwe police
acting on a court order have released a journalist held in jail for five days
under the nation's new security laws.
Peta Thornycroft, who
works for London's Daily Telegraph newspaper and the Voice of America,
was arrested Wednesday on charges of publishing false information and inciting
violence.
Zimbabwe's high court
ordered her release, saying there was no basis for the
charges.
The British-born,
Zimbabwean citizen and South African resident was arrested in the eastern
Zimbabwean town of Chimanimani as she prepared to report on allegations of
government-sponsored violence against opposition activists.
Press freedom groups,
as well as the Telegraph and VOA, denounced her
arrest.
In a further sign the
government intends to tighten its grip, President Robert Mugabe said Sunday no
nonsense will be tolerated.
The Herald
newspaper quotes the president as saying his opponents think the government
will continue to be soft, but, in his words, that is finished. Mr. Mugabe said
there will be a very firm government.
The president was
re-elected last month in a vote condemned by independent observers as flawed.
On Sunday, he once again dismissed calls for a new
election.
Some information
for this report provided by AP and AFP.
Email this article to a friend.
Printer Friendly Version
|