MDC Alliance members in court on charges of post-election violence
Prosecutors opposed bail, saying the accused would intimidate witnesses, while defence lawyers say five of the accused were polling agents visiting MDC Alliance headquarters
Harare — Twenty-seven members of Zimbabwe’s opposition, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Alliance, appeared in court on Monday on violence charges after post-election protests that triggered a security crackdown. President Emmerson Mnangagwa, declared winner of the historic first elections since the downfall of Robert Mugabe, has vowed to protect rights since his re-election, but the opposition say their members have been targeted. Police with assault rifles were on duty in the court precinct, with a truck of other officers stationed outside. Prosecutors opposed bail, saying the accused — 19 men and eight women — were "linked" to the deaths of six people when the army opened fire on opposition supporters protesting against alleged election fraud. "There’s more than a likelihood that they will re-offend, they will intimidate witnesses, they will interfere with evidence and they will not attend trial," said prosecutor Michael Reza. "These are people with unfinished work busine...
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