This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/6449691.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Unbowed Tsvangirai urges defiance Unbowed Tsvangirai urges defiance
(10 minutes later)
Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says the beating he received at the hands of police should be an "inspiration" for the struggle.Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai says the beating he received at the hands of police should be an "inspiration" for the struggle.
Mr Tsvangirai was speaking from hospital as he received blood transfusions for internal bleeding and treatment for a fractured skull.Mr Tsvangirai was speaking from hospital as he received blood transfusions for internal bleeding and treatment for a fractured skull.
He and 49 opposition activists were arrested at a rally on Sunday.He and 49 opposition activists were arrested at a rally on Sunday.
Zimbabwe's information minister said the injuries had been inflicted when Mr Tsvangirai and others attacked police.Zimbabwe's information minister said the injuries had been inflicted when Mr Tsvangirai and others attacked police.
Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told the BBC that police confiscated "killer" weapons from the activists, adding that four policemen were in hospital as a result of the attacks.Sikhanyiso Ndlovu told the BBC that police confiscated "killer" weapons from the activists, adding that four policemen were in hospital as a result of the attacks.
The government said the rally breached a ban on political gatherings imposed after violence at a demonstration last month.The government said the rally breached a ban on political gatherings imposed after violence at a demonstration last month.
There is no freedom without struggle, and there is no freedom without sacrifice Morgan Tsvangirai Protests in pictures 'We won't give in'There is no freedom without struggle, and there is no freedom without sacrifice Morgan Tsvangirai Protests in pictures 'We won't give in'
UK Prime Minister Tony Blair described the situation as a tragedy for the people of Zimbabwe.UK Prime Minister Tony Blair described the situation as a tragedy for the people of Zimbabwe.
The action against Sunday's demonstration was also strongly condemned by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, the United States and European Union.The action against Sunday's demonstration was also strongly condemned by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, the United States and European Union.
US State Department spokesman Tom Casey said extra sanctions were being considered against Zimbabwe following the arrests. The UK has urged European governments to bring in similar measures.US State Department spokesman Tom Casey said extra sanctions were being considered against Zimbabwe following the arrests. The UK has urged European governments to bring in similar measures.
Current sanctions include a travel ban and asset freeze for senior officials.Current sanctions include a travel ban and asset freeze for senior officials.
South Africa also criticised its neighbour, urging Mr Mugabe to respect the rights of citizens, including opposition leaders.South Africa also criticised its neighbour, urging Mr Mugabe to respect the rights of citizens, including opposition leaders.
BBC Africa editor Martin Plaut says that after years of fending off international pressure, Pretoria has adopted an entirely new tone.BBC Africa editor Martin Plaut says that after years of fending off international pressure, Pretoria has adopted an entirely new tone.
'Body blows''Body blows'
The activists appeared in court - many bandaged and bruised - but were all then released from police custody after prosecution lawyers apparently failed to appear.The activists appeared in court - many bandaged and bruised - but were all then released from police custody after prosecution lawyers apparently failed to appear.
It was the most vicious assault I have ever witnessed Tendai BitiMDC spokesman Tendai Biti interview Eyewitness: Brutal clash Send us your commentsIt was the most vicious assault I have ever witnessed Tendai BitiMDC spokesman Tendai Biti interview Eyewitness: Brutal clash Send us your comments
A number remained in hospital on Wednesday.A number remained in hospital on Wednesday.
Mr Tsvangirai, who heads the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said violence he and others endured at a police station was intended to inflict as much harm as possible.Mr Tsvangirai, who heads the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), said violence he and others endured at a police station was intended to inflict as much harm as possible.
He said he suffered head injuries, for which he received six stitches, and took "body blows" to the arms, knees and back, and that he lost two pints (one litre) of blood.He said he suffered head injuries, for which he received six stitches, and took "body blows" to the arms, knees and back, and that he lost two pints (one litre) of blood.
Correspondents say there were an astonishing number of broken arms among the activists' injuries, indicating a very high level of physical violence.Correspondents say there were an astonishing number of broken arms among the activists' injuries, indicating a very high level of physical violence.
"There are lots of people who've been subjected to this kind of torture, this kind of brutality by this regime," Mr Tsvangirai said in an interview from his hospital bed."There are lots of people who've been subjected to this kind of torture, this kind of brutality by this regime," Mr Tsvangirai said in an interview from his hospital bed.
TSVANGIRAI'S LEGAL TROUBLES 2003: Charged with treason - later dropped2002: Lost election to Mugabe, charged with treason - later dropped2000: Charged with treason - later dropped2000: MDC won 57 parliamentary seats1999: Helped form MDC Media anger over crackdown Q&A: Zimbabwe meltdown TSVANGIRAI'S LEGAL TROUBLES 2003: Charged with treason - later dropped2002: Lost election to Mugabe, charged with treason - later dropped2000: Charged with treason - later dropped2000: MDC won 57 parliamentary seats1999: Helped form MDC Media anger over crackdown href="/1/hi/world/africa/6451349.stm">S Africa adopts tough stance class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6441529.stm">Q&A: Zimbabwe meltdown
Mr Tsvangirai has been the figurehead for the movement opposing President Robert Mugabe.Mr Tsvangirai has been the figurehead for the movement opposing President Robert Mugabe.
"It just shows the extent to which this desperate regime is trying to protect its power," he said."It just shows the extent to which this desperate regime is trying to protect its power," he said.
"For the struggle, I think it's an inspiration to everyone. There is no freedom without struggle, and there is no freedom without sacrifice.""For the struggle, I think it's an inspiration to everyone. There is no freedom without struggle, and there is no freedom without sacrifice."
A witness told the BBC the activists turned on police after one of their number was shot dead, but Mr Tsvangirai denied attacking the police.A witness told the BBC the activists turned on police after one of their number was shot dead, but Mr Tsvangirai denied attacking the police.
"If there were any skirmishes, it was nothing to do with me," he said."If there were any skirmishes, it was nothing to do with me," he said.
Civil discontent in Zimbabwe is rising over the country's economic crisis, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.Civil discontent in Zimbabwe is rising over the country's economic crisis, with chronic unemployment and inflation running at more than 1,700% - the highest in the world.