LAW SOCIETY LEADERS FREED AFTER 48 HOURS IN JAIL

UNCLAS HARARE 001378

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/PD, AF/S, AF/RA

NSC FOR JENDAYI FRAZER

LONDON FOR GURNEY

PARIS FOR NEARY

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ZI PHUM KPAO
SUBJECT: LAW SOCIETY LEADERS FREED AFTER 48 HOURS IN JAIL



1. Law Society of Zimbabwe (LSZ) President Sternford Moyo
and LSZ Executive Secretary Wilbert Mapombere were released
from police custody on June 5 after spending 48 hours in
custody on charges of plotting to overthrow the government
of Robert Mugabe. The two have been ordered to appear at
the Harare Magistrates' Court on June 6 to be formally
charged for contravening a section of the newly enacted
Public Order and Security Act (POSA).


2. Moyo and Mapombere are alleged to have written letters
to the British High Commission in Harare and the opposition
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC),calling for the
suspension of crisis talks between the opposition MDC and
Mugabe's ruling ZANU PF party. The government also accused
Moyo and Mapombere of writing letters in support of mass
action. The two men have denied the charges as "fabricated
and without any legal foundation."


2. Meanwhile, the High Court of Zimbabwe ruled that Moyo
and Mapombere's arrest was lawful. The ruling by Judge
President Justice Garwe in Harare yesterday dismissed an
application by the two lawyers that sought to have the
arrest and detention declared unlawful.

SULLIVAN