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| Zimbabwean court frees 180 women | Zimbabwean court frees 180 women |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| A judge in Zimbabwe has dropped charges against 180 women from the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) pressure group. | A judge in Zimbabwe has dropped charges against 180 women from the Women of Zimbabwe Arise (Woza) pressure group. |
| The magistrate said there was insufficient evidence against the women to proceed with the trial. | The magistrate said there was insufficient evidence against the women to proceed with the trial. |
| A BBC correspondent at the court in the second city, Bulawayo, described chaotic scenes inside and outside the courtroom during the hearing. | |
| The charges arose out of an anti-government demonstration held in Bulawayo three months ago. | The charges arose out of an anti-government demonstration held in Bulawayo three months ago. |
| The women held a public protest over currency reforms, shouting that instead of changing the banknotes, the government should be changed. | |
| They were charged under Zimbabwe's tough Public Order and Security Act and faced two years in prison if convicted. | |
| Our correspondent says it is the third time that the state has tried and failed to convict Woza activists. | |
| When the judge announced his ruling, some of the women started to celebrate but were warned they could be returned to the cells if they sang in court. | |
| Outside, our correspondent says they were careful not to risk being rearrested. |