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Zimbabwe opposition 'still held' Zimbabwe's Tsvangirai 'beaten up'
(about 1 hour later)
Lawyers in Zimbabwe are trying to get access to key members of the opposition arrested on Sunday in Harare after riot police broke up a public meeting. The leader of Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has been severely beaten by police, an MDC spokesman in London has said.
The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has demanded the immediate release of its members, which include its leader Morgan Tsvangirai. Hebson Makuvise told the BBC Morgan Tsvangirai was beaten unconscious and could hardly walk or open his eyes.
It described the arrests as an act of intimidation and harassment. Lawyers are trying to get access to Mr Tsvangirai, who was arrested on Sunday along with five colleagues after riot police broke up a public meeting.
Mr Tsvangirai and five colleagues were seized after trying to hold a meeting, and one activist was shot dead. The country's information minister said the police themselves had been beaten.
"The opposition has been involved in violence, caught by police with weapons of destruction and destroying cars and stores and beating up people," Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told the BBC.
Mr Tsvangirai has previously been charged with treason"They've been beating up police you know. That is what government cannot tolerate."
One activist was shot dead at the rally, in the capital Harare.
The government said the rally breached a ban on political gatherings.The government said the rally breached a ban on political gatherings.
The US condemned the crackdown and called for the release of those in custody.The US condemned the crackdown and called for the release of those in custody.
"The United States government condemns the brutal and unwarranted actions of the government of Zimbabwe March 11 in attacking its citizens peacefully gathered to exercise their legitimate democratic rights," spokesman Sean McCormack said."The United States government condemns the brutal and unwarranted actions of the government of Zimbabwe March 11 in attacking its citizens peacefully gathered to exercise their legitimate democratic rights," spokesman Sean McCormack said.
"We hold President Robert Mugabe and the government of Zimbabwe accountable for the government's actions today, and for the safety and well-being of those in custody.""We hold President Robert Mugabe and the government of Zimbabwe accountable for the government's actions today, and for the safety and well-being of those in custody."
However, there has been no word so far from any of Zimbabwe's neighbours.However, there has been no word so far from any of Zimbabwe's neighbours.
Warning shotsWarning shots
BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says the MDC, which split into two rival factions more than a year ago, came together at the weekend in a rare show of unity aimed at trying to resolve the political and economic crisis in the country. Mr Makuvise said Mr Tsvangirai was arrested at around 1300 local time (1100 GMT).
MORGAN TSVANGIRAI 1952: Born in Gutu, central ZimbabweLeft school early to seek work1974: Started working in a mine1988: Secretary General on the ZCTU1997: Organised anti-government strikes1999: Helped form MDC2000: MDC won 57 parliamentary seats2000: Charged with treason, later dismissed2002: Lost elections to Mugabe, charged with treason2003: Charged with treason Tsvangirai profileMORGAN TSVANGIRAI 1952: Born in Gutu, central ZimbabweLeft school early to seek work1974: Started working in a mine1988: Secretary General on the ZCTU1997: Organised anti-government strikes1999: Helped form MDC2000: MDC won 57 parliamentary seats2000: Charged with treason, later dismissed2002: Lost elections to Mugabe, charged with treason2003: Charged with treason Tsvangirai profile
"He was severely assaulted. He can hardly walk and can hardly open his eyes. We don't know the extent of his injuries," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
BBC Southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles says the MDC, which split into two rival factions more than a year ago, came together at the weekend in a rare show of unity aimed at trying to resolve the political and economic crisis in the country.
They were joined by civic and religious organisations in a coalition called the Save Zimbabwe Campaign.They were joined by civic and religious organisations in a coalition called the Save Zimbabwe Campaign.
Riot police used tear gas and water cannons as they fought battles with activists gathered for the rally, opposition officials said.Riot police used tear gas and water cannons as they fought battles with activists gathered for the rally, opposition officials said.
A police spokesman said warning shots were fired after the group defied orders to disperse.A police spokesman said warning shots were fired after the group defied orders to disperse.
Three police officers were injured and were being treated in hospital, he said.Three police officers were injured and were being treated in hospital, he said.
Officials for the MDC told the BBC that Mr Tsvangirai and his colleagues were being held at Highfield police station.
MDC spokesman Eliphas Mukonoweshuro said the rally was not political and therefore not subject to the provisions of the public order act.MDC spokesman Eliphas Mukonoweshuro said the rally was not political and therefore not subject to the provisions of the public order act.
A three-month ban on political meetings was imposed after violence at an opposition rally last month.A three-month ban on political meetings was imposed after violence at an opposition rally last month.
Robert Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, retains an iron grip on power.Robert Mugabe, who has led Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, retains an iron grip on power.
Last month, in an interview to mark his 83rd birthday, the veteran president said he had no intention of stepping down.Last month, in an interview to mark his 83rd birthday, the veteran president said he had no intention of stepping down.
However civil discontent is rising over the economic crisis, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.However civil discontent is rising over the economic crisis, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.