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Mugabe 'responsible' for attacks Mugabe 'responsible' for attacks
(about 5 hours later)
The United States has said it holds Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe "personally responsible" for the recent attacks on opposition figures.The United States has said it holds Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe "personally responsible" for the recent attacks on opposition figures.
MP Nelson Chamisa said he was severely beaten by unknown men at Harare airport on Sunday as he tried to leave, while scores were beaten last week.MP Nelson Chamisa said he was severely beaten by unknown men at Harare airport on Sunday as he tried to leave, while scores were beaten last week.
Two of those were prevented from leaving the country to seek medical treatment for their injuries.Two of those were prevented from leaving the country to seek medical treatment for their injuries.
President Mugabe has said his western critics can "go hang".President Mugabe has said his western critics can "go hang".
He blames the violence on the opposition, who he says are backed by western countries opposed to his rule.He blames the violence on the opposition, who he says are backed by western countries opposed to his rule.
This is strongly denied by the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), whose leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he was severely assaulted by police after being arrested a week ago.This is strongly denied by the main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), whose leader Morgan Tsvangirai says he was severely assaulted by police after being arrested a week ago.
There is no security. There is no protection. All of us are at risk Nelson ChamisaMDC spokesmanThere is no security. There is no protection. All of us are at risk Nelson ChamisaMDC spokesman
"We hold President Mugabe personally responsible for these actions, and call on him to allow all Zimbabweans the right to live without fear and to fully participate in the political process," said US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack."We hold President Mugabe personally responsible for these actions, and call on him to allow all Zimbabweans the right to live without fear and to fully participate in the political process," said US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack.
Earlier, the African Union urged Harare to respect human rights in the country. But Zimbabwe's government accuses the west of double standards.
In a statement, the pan-African body also called for a "constructive dialogue" to resolve Zimbabwe's deepening crisis. "We find it disturbing in that we are not hearing anything on the three women police officers who are struggling for their lives in hospital and about three police officers who were badly beaten up by the MDC," junior Information Minister Bright Matonga told the AFP news agency.
'Arbitrary act' Specialist treatment
Mr Chamisa, an MDC spokesman, had been on his way to attend an Africa Caribbean Pacific-EU meeting in Belgium.Mr Chamisa, an MDC spokesman, had been on his way to attend an Africa Caribbean Pacific-EU meeting in Belgium.
He said he had been approached by unidentified men as he got out of his car outside the departures' hall at Harare Airport.He said he had been approached by unidentified men as he got out of his car outside the departures' hall at Harare Airport.
This crisis has reached the tipping point and we could be seeing the beginning of the end of this dictatorship Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC leader 'Zimbabwe is still working' "I was suddenly surrounded by, I think, about eight men," he said later.This crisis has reached the tipping point and we could be seeing the beginning of the end of this dictatorship Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC leader 'Zimbabwe is still working' "I was suddenly surrounded by, I think, about eight men," he said later.
"One wore a green t-shirt. The other ones had suits. Then I was hit, I think about three times... Then I fell to the ground.""One wore a green t-shirt. The other ones had suits. Then I was hit, I think about three times... Then I fell to the ground."
Mr Chamisa said he had seen his attackers running off towards two vehicles without registration plates.
He has now been admitted to hospital in Harare where his doctor says he has a fractured skull.He has now been admitted to hospital in Harare where his doctor says he has a fractured skull.
"There is no security. There is no protection. All of us are at risk," Mr Chamisa said."There is no security. There is no protection. All of us are at risk," Mr Chamisa said.
Arthur Mutambara, the leader of one of the factions of the MDC, was re-arrested on Saturday. Arthur Mutambara, the leader of one of the factions of the MDC, was re-arrested on Saturday, as he tried to leave the country.
Senior MDC officials Grace Kwinje and Sekai Holland tried to go to South Africa to receive specialist treatment on Saturday evening, Tafadzwa Mugabe, a lawyer who accompanied them, told the BBC's World Today programme. Senior MDC officials Grace Kwinje and Sekai Holland also attempted to go to South Africa to receive specialist treatment on Saturday evening, Tafadzwa Mugabe, a lawyer who accompanied them, told the BBC's World Today programme.
They were among a number of activists who say they were beaten while in police custody after being arrested last week.They were among a number of activists who say they were beaten while in police custody after being arrested last week.
Tafadzwa Mugabe said all their papers were in order but - just before boarding the flight - the authorities said the two women needed an additional "clearance letter from the ministry of health". A police spokesman said the four opposition officials had been prevented from leaving the country under the terms of their release from custody after being arrested on suspicion of inciting public violence.
"This was just an arbitrary act," the lawyer said, adding that they would be taking legal action. MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has told the BBC's Sunday AM programme that the situation has reached a critical stage. "Things were bad, things are bad, but I think this crisis has reached the tipping point and we could be seeing the beginning of the end of this dictatorship," he said.
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has told the BBC's Sunday AM programme that the situation has reached a critical stage.
"Things were bad, things are bad, but I think this crisis has reached the tipping point and we could be seeing the beginning of the end of this dictatorship," he said.