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Zimbabwe activists 'badly beaten' Zimbabwe activists 'badly beaten'
(1 day later)
Zimbabwe's opposition says nine of its members arrested during the week have been badly beaten up in custody.Zimbabwe's opposition says nine of its members arrested during the week have been badly beaten up in custody.
"They were brutalised, one of them was in resuscitation, they are in a bad shape but in high spirit," said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai."They were brutalised, one of them was in resuscitation, they are in a bad shape but in high spirit," said opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
The nine were due in court on Saturday but the hearing was postponed.The nine were due in court on Saturday but the hearing was postponed.
Mr Tsvangirai was himself beaten by police two weeks ago. President Robert Mugabe acknowledged his rival was attacked but said "he asked for it". Two weeks ago Mr Tsvangirai was beaten in police custody. President Robert Mugabe acknowledged his rival was attacked but said "he asked for it".
The president, who has just been endorsed by his party to stand for re-election next year, warned that troublemakers would be "bashed".The president, who has just been endorsed by his party to stand for re-election next year, warned that troublemakers would be "bashed".
The nine opposition activists were arrested this week and charged with attempted murder and illegal weapons possession, for allegedly planning a series of fire bomb attacks.The nine opposition activists were arrested this week and charged with attempted murder and illegal weapons possession, for allegedly planning a series of fire bomb attacks.
Members of the opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said one of the activists collapsed in the courthouse on Saturday.Members of the opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said one of the activists collapsed in the courthouse on Saturday.
We don't sanction or plan any bombings, we don't support violence Morgan TsvangiraiWe don't sanction or plan any bombings, we don't support violence Morgan Tsvangirai
The judge agreed to adjourn the hearing so they could receive medical treatment, MDC officials said.The judge agreed to adjourn the hearing so they could receive medical treatment, MDC officials said.
Doctors who saw the detainees - and who requested anonymity - said they appeared to have been assaulted while in custody, the Associated Press reported.Doctors who saw the detainees - and who requested anonymity - said they appeared to have been assaulted while in custody, the Associated Press reported.
Mr Tsvangirai denied the MDC had any part in a fire bomb campaign, after an office of the Zanu-PF ruling party was attacked this week.Mr Tsvangirai denied the MDC had any part in a fire bomb campaign, after an office of the Zanu-PF ruling party was attacked this week.
"We don't sanction or plan any bombings, we don't support violence," the MDC leader said."We don't sanction or plan any bombings, we don't support violence," the MDC leader said.
Fears of unrestFears of unrest
On Friday Zanu-PF announced that Mr Mugabe would be its candidate next year, and that parliamentary elections, scheduled for 2010, will be brought forward by two years to coincide with the presidential poll.On Friday Zanu-PF announced that Mr Mugabe would be its candidate next year, and that parliamentary elections, scheduled for 2010, will be brought forward by two years to coincide with the presidential poll.
Next year's poll would allow the president to say in power until 2013, when he would be nearly 90.Next year's poll would allow the president to say in power until 2013, when he would be nearly 90.
Mr Mugabe has attracted strong condemnation from the West, but was given the backing of southern African leaders this week.Mr Mugabe has attracted strong condemnation from the West, but was given the backing of southern African leaders this week.
However, analysts say there may be more unrest on the horizon, with more than 80% of Zimbabweans living in poverty, chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.However, analysts say there may be more unrest on the horizon, with more than 80% of Zimbabweans living in poverty, chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.