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Zimbabwean Court Frees Activist

Zimbabwe’s Supreme Court ruled today that the government could not prosecute a prominent human rights activist because her abduction and torture in state custody infringed her rights.

Jestina Mukoko

Jestina Mukoko was accused of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe. But Ms Mukoko, head of a local rights group, challenged her prosecution at the country’s highest court. The court heard she was abducted by state security agents in December 2008 and held for three weeks. During this time she was beaten up and tortured. The ruling has sparked hopes that other human rights and opposition activists in Zimbabwe could be acquitted of similar charges. Such a move could ease tensions between rivals President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who signed a power-sharing agreement last year.