Zimbabwe

Mutambara released on bail

Article published on the 2008-06-03 Latest update 2008-06-03 15:05 TU

Arthur Mutambara arrives at the magistrates court in Harare
(Photo: Reuters)

The leader of a breakaway faction of Zimbabwe's main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was released from jail Tuesday after he was arrested for writing an article critical of President Robert Mugabe. Arthur Mutambara was freed on bail of 20 billion Zimbabwean dollars (about €20). His new court date is set for 17 June, ten days before the country’s presidential runoff election.

Mutambara was arrested last weekend and faces charges of contempt of court and communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the state.

He told RFI that what happened to him is not important. “What has happened to me is an example of whatever Zimbabwe is going through: harassment, torture, violation of human rights. And it is an example of the travesty of justice in our country.”

Mutambara accuses Mugabe of using violence to try to win the election. “If he does do so and succeeds, we are not going to recognise that government that is a product of a fraudulent process,” he said. “We are not going to be part of any government that has gotten into power through violence, violation of human rights, through genocide.”

Four MDC lawmakers have been arrested in the last month, and the MDC says that more than 50 of its supporters have been killed in attacks by pro-Mugabe militias. The opposition party also claims that thousands of people have been moved around to keep them from voting.