This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/8035685.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Zimbabwe activists to be bailed Zimbabwe activists freed on bail
(about 7 hours later)
Eighteen Zimbabwean opposition activists are to be released on bail a day after they were jailed again, a defence lawyer has said. At least 14 Zimbabwean opposition activists have been released on bail a day after they were jailed again.
The imprisonment of the activists, including leading human rights activist Jestina Mukoko, sparked fresh tension in the coalition government. The imprisonment of the activists, including leading human rights campaigner Jestina Mukoko, sparked new tension in the coalition government.
They were initially jailed in December and then freed on bail in March, but re-arrested on Tuesday. They were initially jailed in December and then freed on bail in March, but were re-arrested on Tuesday.
The activists say they were tortured into confessing to terrorism charges. The activists say they were abducted by state security agents and tortured into confessing to terrorism charges.
Their re-arrest has placed extra strain on the unity government between President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. 'Sanity prevails'
"The attorney-general has consented to bail, so we are going to court... to have the agreement effected by the magistrate," defence lawyer Harrison Nkomo told Reuters news agency. Correspondents says the re-arrest on Tuesday of the 18 leading activists placed extra strain on the unity government between President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
The detainees, who include several members of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), face charges of plotting to overthrow President Mugabe. "Sanity has prevailed and all this harassment must just stop," Ms Mukoko told journalists as she left the Chikurubi maximum security prison on the outskirts of Harare, AFP news agency reports.
Those released, who include several members of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), face charges of plotting to overthrow President Mugabe.
The whereabouts of at least three of the re-arrested activists is not clear.
Ms Mukoko, the director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, was granted medical treatment at a previous court hearing after she said she had been tortured.Ms Mukoko, the director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, was granted medical treatment at a previous court hearing after she said she had been tortured.
Western donors have demanded the unity government demonstrate effective power sharing and that political prisoners be freed before they open their wallets.Western donors have demanded the unity government demonstrate effective power sharing and that political prisoners be freed before they open their wallets.
Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai formed a government in February after months of wrangling but tensions continue, not least over MDC calls for the posts of central bank governor and attorney-general to be reviewed.Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai formed a government in February after months of wrangling but tensions continue, not least over MDC calls for the posts of central bank governor and attorney-general to be reviewed.