Outrage Over Zimbabwe Court's Bail Denial to Opposition Leader

Human rights groups condemned the Zimbabwean High Court's decision to uphold a ruling denying bail to opposition leader Jameson Timba and 78 activists. They were arrested for holding an unauthorized gathering and charged with promoting public violence. Amnesty International demands their immediate release, calling their detention 'baseless.'

Human rights groups have fiercely condemned a decision by the Zimbabwean High Court to uphold a lower court's ruling that denies bail to opposition party leader Jameson Timba and 78 activists. The individuals were arrested last month during an unauthorized gathering in Harare.

They face charges of gathering with intent to promote public violence and have been denied bail by a Magistrates Court. Amnesty International has called for their immediate release, describing their continued incarceration as 'lengthy' and 'baseless.'

'Their arbitrary, month-long detention is an outrage which must end now,' said Khanyo Farise, Amnesty's deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa. Reports indicate that some activists were assaulted by the police and sustained injuries.

A High Court judge on Wednesday stated he would not overturn the decision of the lower court, arguing that the activists were not 'randomly' assembled. The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) labeled the court's decision as 'unjust' and criticized the regime for denying citizens their constitutional right to bail. The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, providing legal support, pledged to explore additional legal avenues to secure their liberty.

(With inputs from agencies.)