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Zimbabwean pastor who led anti-Mugabe protests arrested in Harare Zimbabwean pastor who led anti-Mugabe protests arrested in Harare
(35 minutes later)
A Zimbabwean pastor, accused last year of trying to overthrow the government after helping launch protests against President Robert Mugabe, has been arrested after flying home from the United States. A Zimbabwean pastor accused last year of trying to overthrow the government after helping launch protests against President Robert Mugabe has been arrested after flying home from the US.
Evan Mawarire was detained in Harare airport, according to his lawyer. He was charged with subverting a constitutionally elected government and would probably spend the night in custody, Harrison Nkomo said. Evan Mawarire was detained at Harare airport, according to his lawyer. He was charged with subverting a constitutionally elected government and would probably spend the night in custody, Harrison Nkomo said.
A police spokeswoman, Charity Charamba, said Mawarire was apprehended on an outstanding arrest warrant. “He skipped the country but, as you know, going to America was never going to wash away his crimes. We were waiting for him to return,” she said. A police spokeswoman, Charity Charamba, said Mawarire had been apprehended on an outstanding arrest warrant. “He skipped the country but, as you know, going to America was never going to wash away his crimes. We were waiting for him to return,” she said.
Mawarire encouraged Zimbabweans on social media last year to hold protests against Mugabe, who turns 93 this month and is the world’s oldest current head of state. Last year Mawarire encouraged Zimbabweans on social media to hold protests against Mugabe, who turns 93 this month and is the world’s oldest current head of state.
It was not immediately clear why Mawarire had been returning home. Some in Zimbabwe had criticised him for leaving the country amid the protests. At the time, he said he feared for his family’s safety. It was not immediately clear why Mawarire had been returning home. Some in Zimbabwe had criticised him for leaving the country amid the protests. At the time he said he feared for his family’s safety.
Before he left Zimbabwe, Mawarire was detained and initially charged with inciting public violence before prosecutors changed the charges to attempting to overthrow a constitutionally elected government. Before he left Zimbabwe, Mawarire was detained and initially charged with inciting public violence before prosecutors changed the charges.
A magistrate freed the pastor after ruling that it was unconstitutional for prosecutors to bring the fresh charges to court. A magistrate freed him after ruling that it was unconstitutional for prosecutors to bring the fresh charges to court.
Mugabe had said Mawarire and others should leave Zimbabwe if they were unhappy with the country’s situation. The economy of the once-prosperous southern African state has crashed, and unemployment and frustration are widespread. Mugabe had said Mawarire and others should leave Zimbabwe if they were unhappy with the country’s situation. The economy has crashed and unemployment and frustration are widespread.