Activists in Zimbabwe freed on bail
HARARE, Zimbabwe - Eighteen opposition activists whose detention on terrorism charges caused tension in Zimbabwe's unity government were released on bail yesterday.
Magistrate Catherine Chimanda granted the activists, including human rights campaigner Jestina Mukoko, bail of $600 on condition they surrender their passports and report to police once a week.
Their indictment and imprisonment brought new tension in the power-sharing government of President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
The activists were ordered back to jail on Tuesday, drawing condemnation from Western countries and human rights groups.
The activists, who also include several members of Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change, said they were abducted by state security agents from their homes last year and tortured to force them to confess to planning to remove Mugabe from power.
The activists were granted bail in March with the consent of state prosecutors.
MDC secretary general Tendai Biti said the detention of the activists was unacceptable. 