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Zimbabwe police storm MDC office Zimbabwe police in election raids
(about 2 hours later)
Armed riot police have raided the headquarters of Zimbabwe's main opposition party in Harare and arrested scores of activists. Riot police in Zimbabwe have carried out raids on headquarters of independent poll monitors and the opposition MDC in the capital, Harare.
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) spokesman Nelson Chamisa said those arrested had fled political violence. Witnesses say vote-counting material was taken from the MDC office and activists hiding there were arrested.
But the police said the raid was to look for those responsible for arson attacks east of Harare. It was not clear whether anything was taken from the office of the monitors, the Zimbabwe Election Support Network.
The MDC says it won last month's presidential election, the results of which have not yet been published. But the group said it feared the authorities wanted to hide evidence of an MDC win in last month's poll.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) says it won last month's presidential election, the results of which have not yet been published.
The ruling Zanu-PF party, however, says that there is likely to be a run-off, as no candidate gained more than 50% of the vote.The ruling Zanu-PF party, however, says that there is likely to be a run-off, as no candidate gained more than 50% of the vote.
They are trying to destroy evidence of their brutality Nelson Chamisa, MDC 'They took everyone'
The MDC says its activists have been attacked around the country - with at least 10 killed - since the elections. Many have fled to Harare and other towns, seeking medical treatment. Witnesses at the MDC raid said at least 100 opposition supporters who had been taking refuge from the authorities in its Harvest House headquarters had been arrested.
They are trying to destroy evidence of their brutality Nelson Chamisa, MDC Computers and documents were also seized, they said.
MDC spokesman Nelson Chamisa said the activists had been fleeing political violence.
"They took everyone in the building, including those who had come just to seek medical care. They are trying to destroy evidence of their brutality," Mr Chamisa said.
But police said the aim of the raid was to find those responsible for arson attacks east of Harare.
Spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said police were screening those detained and anyone who had not committed any crimes would be freed.
An anonymous source at the Zimbabwe Election Support Network said police had arrived at the group's headquarters shortly after the MDC raid and were searching through files and documents.
The network is considered the only reliable source of information about the 29 March elections, correspondents say.
'Myopic stooges'
The MDC says its activists have been attacked around the country - with at least 10 killed - since the elections.
Many have fled to Harare and other towns, seeking medical treatment.
But the police and Zanu-PF say that no-one has died in political violence.But the police and Zanu-PF say that no-one has died in political violence.
MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has fled Zimbabwe, fearing for his safety and is touring African countries, trying to persuade them to press President Robert Mugabe to step down.MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai has fled Zimbabwe, fearing for his safety and is touring African countries, trying to persuade them to press President Robert Mugabe to step down.
The MDC says Mr Tsvangirai gained 50.3% of the vote, although independent monitors say he received just below the 50% threshold.The MDC says Mr Tsvangirai gained 50.3% of the vote, although independent monitors say he received just below the 50% threshold.
'Myopic stooges'
On Friday, the state-owned Herald newspaper reported that the houses of at least eight Zanu-PF activists had been burned by MDC supporters in Mashonaland East province.
A Reuters news agency correspondent says more than 100 MDC supporters were arrested in the raid on its Harvest House offices in central Harare.

ZIMBABWE'S NEIGHBOURS

ZIMBABWE'S NEIGHBOURS

Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has been under fire over March's disputed elections. His neighbours have been supportive but regional differences are now emerging.Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has been under fire over March's disputed elections. His neighbours have been supportive but regional differences are now emerging.
South Africa's President Mbeki is the key Zimbabwe mediator. He has refused to criticise Robert Mugabe but the ruling ANC, and trade unions have urged him to take a stronger line.South Africa's President Mbeki is the key Zimbabwe mediator. He has refused to criticise Robert Mugabe but the ruling ANC, and trade unions have urged him to take a stronger line.
Zambian President Mwanawasa has taken the region's strongest line on Zimbabwe. His call for Africa not to let a ship carrying weapons to Zimbabwe dock will outrage President Mugabe.Zambian President Mwanawasa has taken the region's strongest line on Zimbabwe. His call for Africa not to let a ship carrying weapons to Zimbabwe dock will outrage President Mugabe.
Angola's government has close ties to Zimbabwe's ruling party - both came to power after fighting colonial rule in the 1970s.Angola's government has close ties to Zimbabwe's ruling party - both came to power after fighting colonial rule in the 1970s.
Botswana is not seen as an ally of Robert Mugabe. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai fled here after polls.Botswana is not seen as an ally of Robert Mugabe. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai fled here after polls.
Namibia is a close ally of Zimbabwe - it too is planning to redistribute white-owned farms to black villagers.Namibia is a close ally of Zimbabwe - it too is planning to redistribute white-owned farms to black villagers.
Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced from Zimbabwe and is seen as relatively sympathetic to Zimbabwe's opposition.Mozambique has hosted some white farmers forced from Zimbabwe and is seen as relatively sympathetic to Zimbabwe's opposition.
Tanzania's ruling party has a long history of close ties to Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and is unlikely to criticise him.Tanzania's ruling party has a long history of close ties to Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party and is unlikely to criticise him.
DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe, who sent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels.DR Congo's President Joseph Kabila is an ally of Robert Mugabe, who sent troops to help his father, Laurent Kabila, fight rebels.
Malawi is seen as neutral. But some 3m people of Malawian origin are in Zimbabwe, mostly farmworkers who have lost their jobs and were sometimes assaulted during farm invasions.Malawi is seen as neutral. But some 3m people of Malawian origin are in Zimbabwe, mostly farmworkers who have lost their jobs and were sometimes assaulted during farm invasions.
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"They took everyone in the building, including those who had come just to seek medical care. They are trying to destroy evidence of their brutality," Mr Chamisa said.
He said the police also seized computers and documents.
Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said police were screening those detained and anyone who had not committed any crimes would be freed.
The electoral commission says it cannot release the presidential results until it completes a recount in 23 of the 210 constituencies.The electoral commission says it cannot release the presidential results until it completes a recount in 23 of the 210 constituencies.
Three recounts of the parliamentary results have been completed - all confirmed the original results.Three recounts of the parliamentary results have been completed - all confirmed the original results.
President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party lost control of parliament for the first time since independence in 1980.President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF party lost control of parliament for the first time since independence in 1980.
But if many of the results are overturned in the recount, this could change.But if many of the results are overturned in the recount, this could change.
Meanwhile, the Herald newspaper has condemned Zimbabwe's neighbours as "myopic stooges" for refusing to let a cargo of Chinese weapons cross their territory to landlocked Zimbabwe.Meanwhile, the Herald newspaper has condemned Zimbabwe's neighbours as "myopic stooges" for refusing to let a cargo of Chinese weapons cross their territory to landlocked Zimbabwe.
"Zimbabwe is... under attack from the former coloniser and its allies. As such, Zimbabwe probably needs to arm itself more than any other country in Africa today for the simple reason that it has been targeted for destabilisation by the traditional Western rabble rousers," the Herald said."Zimbabwe is... under attack from the former coloniser and its allies. As such, Zimbabwe probably needs to arm itself more than any other country in Africa today for the simple reason that it has been targeted for destabilisation by the traditional Western rabble rousers," the Herald said.
China's foreign ministry says the ship will now return as it cannot deliver its cargo to Zimbabwe.China's foreign ministry says the ship will now return as it cannot deliver its cargo to Zimbabwe.
But the state-owned shipping company has not confirmed this.But the state-owned shipping company has not confirmed this.