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Bruised Tsvangirai before court Bruised Tsvangirai before court
(about 1 hour later)
Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has arrived in court following his arrest at the weekend, with his face cut and bruised. Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has appeared in court with severe cuts and bruises to his head following two days in police detention.
He appeared alongside about 50 other activists, many of them bandaged. He was in court alongside about 50 other activists, many of them bandaged.
They were badly beaten in custody after being detained at an opposition rally on Sunday, supporters say. They were badly beaten in custody after being detained at a banned opposition rally on Sunday, supporters said.
One person was shot dead as riot police broke up the meeting, in the capital Harare, called to discuss Zimbabwe's political and economic predicament. One person was shot dead as riot police broke up the meeting, in the capital, Harare, called to discuss Zimbabwe's political and economic predicament.
Mr Tsvangirai, who heads the Movement for Democratic Change, was brought to the court in central Harare in the back of a large open police truck with at least 20 other opposition activists, the AFP news agency reported. One of us was killed. They shot my friend Gift Tandare dead MDC activist class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6443109.stm">Eyewitness: Brutal clash Mr Tsvangirai, who heads the Movement for Democratic Change, was taken to the court in central Harare in the back of a large open police truck with at least 20 other opposition activists, AFP news agency reported.
He had a large gash which appeared to have been stitched, witnesses said.He had a large gash which appeared to have been stitched, witnesses said.
He stood next to Arthur Mutambara, the leader of a rival MDC faction, while many of the activists sang and chanted.He stood next to Arthur Mutambara, the leader of a rival MDC faction, while many of the activists sang and chanted.
The court adjourned for lunch with the group still sitting inside, AFP news agency reported.
'Brutal' crackdown'Brutal' crackdown
The police action against the meeting, which was called to discuss Zimbabwe's political and economic predicament, has been strongly condemned by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and by the United States and European Union. The police action against Sunday's meeting, which was called to discuss Zimbabwe's political and economic predicament, has been strongly condemned by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, and by the United States and European Union.
Mr Ban's spokeswoman said the arrests "violate the basic democratic right of citizens to engage in peaceful assembly". TSVANGIRAI'S LEGAL TROUBLES 2003: Charged with treason - later dropped2002: Lost election to Mugabe, charged with treason - later dropped2000: Charged with treason - later dropped2000: MDC won 57 parliamentary seats1999: Helped form MDC class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6445069.stm">Media anger over crackdown class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6441529.stm">Q&A: Zimbabwe meltdown Mr Ban's spokeswoman said the arrests "violate the basic democratic right of citizens to engage in peaceful assembly".
The US called the crackdown "brutal and unwarranted" and called for the activists to be released.The US called the crackdown "brutal and unwarranted" and called for the activists to be released.
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 Say
"We hold President Robert Mugabe and the government of Zimbabwe accountable for the safety and well-being of those in custody," White House spokesman Sean McCormack said."We hold President Robert Mugabe and the government of Zimbabwe accountable for the safety and well-being of those in custody," White House spokesman Sean McCormack said.
Zimbabwe's Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told the BBC's Network Africa programme that the police had been attacked by opposition activists.Zimbabwe's Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told the BBC's Network Africa programme that the police had been attacked by opposition activists.
"The opposition has been involved in violence, caught by police with weapons of destruction and destroying cars and stores and beating up people."The opposition has been involved in violence, caught by police with weapons of destruction and destroying cars and stores and beating up people.
"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 imposed after violence at a demonstration last month.The government said the rally breached a ban on political gatherings imposed after violence at a demonstration last month.
Civil discontent in Zimbabwe is rising over the country's economic crisis, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.Civil discontent in Zimbabwe is rising over the country's economic crisis, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.