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Alert

Two AP journalists arrested, detained; whereabouts of one unknown

(MISA/IFEX) - On 12 March 2007, the High Court ordered the police to allow lawyers access to their clients, including two detained journalists, as well as opposition leaders and human rights activists.

Photojournalist Tsvangirai Mukwazhi and television producer Tendai Musiyu, both employed with Associated Press (AP), are among those being detained at various police stations in Harare, together with opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leaders Morgan Tsvangirai and Authur Mutambara.

Mukwazhi's whereabouts remain unknown following his arrest on 11 March at Machipisa shopping complex, when police disrupted a national prayer meeting that had been scheduled for Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield under the auspices of the Save Zimbabwe Campaign.

Justice Chinembiri Bhunu made the ruling following an urgent application filed by Advocate Erick Matinenga, representing the detained journalists, political leaders and human rights activists, after the police denied their lawyers access to their clients.

Justice Bhunu also ordered that medical practitioners be allowed access to the injured activists after the state conceded in its submission that they had been assaulted by the police. He further ruled that if the police defy that order, it should produce all the detainees at the High Court at 8:00 a.m. (local time) on 13 March.

The High Court also ordered that all detainees be brought before the Magistrates Court by 12:00 p.m. on 13 March, failing which they should be released.

MISA-Zimbabwe understands that the police have not complied with the High Court order and have refused lawyers access to the detainees, despite the ruling late in the evening of 12 March.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports say Mukwazhi is being held at Epworth police station on the outskirts of Harare and that efforts were underway to ascertain the whereabouts of the award-winning journalist. His colleague Musiyo is being held at Marlborough Police Station.