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Tsvangirai lawyer access ordered Tsvangirai lawyer access ordered
(about 4 hours later)
Zimbabwe's high court judge has ordered police to allow lawyers access to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who was arrested at a rally on Sunday.Zimbabwe's high court judge has ordered police to allow lawyers access to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who was arrested at a rally on Sunday.
The judge said Mr Tsvangirai should have immediate access to medical care after his lawyer said he was badly beaten by police in custody. The judge said Mr Tsvangirai should have immediate access to medical care after reports he was badly beaten by police while in their custody.
The judge also said Mr Tsvangirai should be brought to his court on Tuesday morning or freed.The judge also said Mr Tsvangirai should be brought to his court on Tuesday morning or freed.
Mr Tsvangirai leads Zimbabwe's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). His lawyer told the BBC that officials have so far ignored the access ruling.
He was arrested along with several colleagues after riot police broke up a public meeting in the capital, Harare. The lawyer, Selby Hwacha, said his staff had gone to 14 different police stations in the capital, Harare, and been turned away from them all.
He said it was clear Mr Tsvangirai had been badly beaten up in detention but there was no indication he had been given the medical treatment the court had also ordered.
Mr Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was arrested as police and security forces broke up a rally in Harare on Sunday, along with dozens of other activists.
One activist was shot dead at the rally, described as a prayer meeting.One activist was shot dead at the rally, described as a prayer meeting.
As reports spread of the beatings, demonstrations erupted in Gweru, about 200km (124 miles) south of Harare, and hundreds were arrested in the eastern town of Mutare, say the BBC's Brian Hungwe.As reports spread of the beatings, demonstrations erupted in Gweru, about 200km (124 miles) south of Harare, and hundreds were arrested in the eastern town of Mutare, say the BBC's Brian Hungwe.
TortureTorture
Mr Tsvangirai's lawyer Innocent Chagonda said he had seen the opposition leader from a distance of about 10m and that his head was bandaged and face swollen. Another lawyer acting on Mr Tsvangirai's behalf, Innocent Chagonda, said he saw the opposition leader from a distance of about 10m (33ft) with his head bandaged and face swollen.
Zimbabwe officials said the opposition had attacked policeZimbabwe officials said the opposition had attacked police
Lawyers are seeking access to the detained men and it is unclear if any have been charged. The Save Zimbabwe Campaign, which organised the meeting, says they have also been tortured. Lawyers are seeking access to the detained men and it is unclear if any have been charged. The Save Zimbabwe Campaign, which organised the meeting, said the men have been tortured.
One prominent government critic, Lovemore Madhuku, suffered a broken arm and had to be rushed to hospital after passing out, the civic grouping said.One prominent government critic, Lovemore Madhuku, suffered a broken arm and had to be rushed to hospital after passing out, the civic grouping said.
Save Zimbabwe Campaign lawyers report that Mr Tsvangirai fainted three times in custody.Save Zimbabwe Campaign lawyers report that Mr Tsvangirai fainted three times in custody.
The country's information minister said the police themselves had been beaten.The country's information minister said the police themselves had been beaten.
"The opposition has been involved in violence, caught by police with weapons of destruction and destroying cars and stores and beating up people," Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told the BBC's Network Africa programme."The opposition has been involved in violence, caught by police with weapons of destruction and destroying cars and stores and beating up people," Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
"They've been beating up police you know. That is what government cannot tolerate.""They've been beating up police you know. That is what government cannot tolerate."
The government said the rally breached a ban on political gatherings.The government said the rally breached a ban on political gatherings.
The US condemned the crackdown and called for the release of those in custody.The US condemned the crackdown and called for the release of those in custody.
"The United States government condemns the brutal and unwarranted actions of the government of Zimbabwe [on] March 11 in attacking its citizens peacefully gathered to exercise their legitimate democratic rights," spokesman Sean McCormack said. "The United States government condemns the brutal and unwarranted actions of the government of Zimbabwe [on] 11 March in attacking its citizens peacefully gathered to exercise their legitimate democratic rights," spokesman Sean McCormack said.
"We hold President Robert Mugabe and the government of Zimbabwe accountable for the government's actions today, and for the safety and well-being of those in custody.""We hold President Robert Mugabe and the government of Zimbabwe accountable for the government's actions today, and for the safety and well-being of those in custody."
There has been no word so far from any of Zimbabwe's neighbours.
Warning shotsWarning shots
The MDC's spokesman in London, Hebson Makuvise, said Mr Tsvangirai was arrested at around 1300 local time (1100 GMT) on Sunday. The MDC's spokesman in London, Hebson Makuvise, said Mr Tsvangirai was arrested at around 1300 (1100 GMT) on Sunday.
MORGAN TSVANGIRAI 1952: Born in Gutu, central ZimbabweLeft school early to seek work1974: Started working in a mine1988: Secretary General on the ZCTU1997: Organised anti-government strikes1999: Helped form MDC2000: MDC won 57 parliamentary seats2000: Charged with treason - later dropped2002: Lost elections to Mugabe, charged with treason - later dropped2003: Charged with treason - later dropped Q&A: Zimbabwe meltdown Tsvangirai profile Have Your SayMORGAN TSVANGIRAI 1952: Born in Gutu, central ZimbabweLeft school early to seek work1974: Started working in a mine1988: Secretary General on the ZCTU1997: Organised anti-government strikes1999: Helped form MDC2000: MDC won 57 parliamentary seats2000: Charged with treason - later dropped2002: Lost elections to Mugabe, charged with treason - later dropped2003: Charged with treason - later dropped Q&A: Zimbabwe meltdown Tsvangirai profile Have Your Say
He told the BBC that the MDC leader was beaten unconscious and could hardly walk or open his eyes. He told the BBC that the MDC leader had been beaten unconscious and could hardly walk or open his eyes.
"He was severely assaulted. He can hardly walk and can hardly open his eyes. We don't know the extent of his injuries," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."He was severely assaulted. He can hardly walk and can hardly open his eyes. We don't know the extent of his injuries," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
Mr Tsvangirai has been arrested several times since leading the opposition to Mr Mugabe.Mr Tsvangirai has been arrested several times since leading the opposition to Mr Mugabe.
A group of unknown men once broke into his office, hit him on the head with an iron bar and tried to throw him out of the window.A group of unknown men once broke into his office, hit him on the head with an iron bar and tried to throw him out of the window.
He has three times been charged with treason but each time the charges have all subsequently been dropped.He has three times been charged with treason but each time the charges have all subsequently been dropped.
BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says the MDC, which split into two rival factions more than a year ago, came together at the weekend in a rare show of unity aimed at trying to resolve the political and economic crisis in the country.BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says the MDC, which split into two rival factions more than a year ago, came together at the weekend in a rare show of unity aimed at trying to resolve the political and economic crisis in the country.
They were joined by civic and religious organisations in the Save Zimbabwe Campaign.They were joined by civic and religious organisations in the Save Zimbabwe Campaign.
Riot police used tear gas and water cannons as they fought battles with activists gathered for the rally, opposition officials said.Riot police used tear gas and water cannons as they fought battles with activists gathered for the rally, opposition officials said.
A police spokesman said warning shots were fired after the group defied orders to disperse.A police spokesman said warning shots were fired after the group defied orders to disperse.
MDC spokesman Eliphas Mukonoweshuro said the rally was not political and therefore not subject to the provisions of the public order act.MDC spokesman Eliphas Mukonoweshuro said the rally was not political and therefore not subject to the provisions of the public order act.
A three-month ban on political meetings was imposed after violence at an opposition rally last month.A three-month ban on political meetings was imposed after violence at an opposition rally last month.
Mr Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, retains an iron grip on power.Mr Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, retains an iron grip on power.
Last month, in an interview to mark his 83rd birthday, the veteran president said he had no intention of stepping down.Last month, in an interview to mark his 83rd birthday, the veteran president said he had no intention of stepping down.
However civil discontent is rising over the economic crisis, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.However civil discontent is rising over the economic crisis, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.