Mar 21, 2013

Zimbabwe: Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa Denied Bail


A Zimbabwean court has refused bail to prominent human rights lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, saying she was a flight risk.

Bail was was also denied to four aides of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who appeared in leg irons in the dock.

Ms Mtetwa, who was born in Swaziland, raised her fist in defiance after the court ruled she should stay in jail until 3 April - after the Easter break.

The group was arrested on Sunday, after the referendum on a new constitution that strengthens civil liberties.

The constitution was approved by nearly 95% of voters on Saturday after it was supported by Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party and President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party.

Its adoption paves the way for presidential and parliamentary elections that will end the coalition the two parties formed after the disputed 2008 poll.

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