Case against activists strains new government

Zimbabwe's High Court on Wednesday postponed the trial of
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists charged with attempting to
overthrow President Robert Mugabe, in a case that has strained the new
government.

Four MDC members, part of a group of rights activists, including
prominent campaigner Jestina Mukoko, were abducted and unlawfully detained
between October and December last year, their lawyers say.

The case has been held up because the activists have applied to refer
the case to the Supreme Court. On June 22, the High Court will decide on the
application, said Judge Tendai Uchena. The trial is expected to start after
the ruling.

Mugabe and his rival, MDC leader and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai,
formed a power-sharing government in February, hoping to end a political
crisis after last year's disputed election.

But the prosecution of the MDC members and rights activists, charged
in May, has raised tensions in Zimbabwe's new administration, which needs
billions of dollars in international financial support to rescue the
country's ruined economy.

Western donors say aid will not flow to Zimbabwe unless a democracy is
created and economic reforms are implemented.

Defence lawyers said state security agents abducted and tortured the
activists, making any prosecution illegal.

"To try them in these circumstances violates their right to the
protection of the law. There have been serious violations to their
constitutional rights," defence lawyer Alec Muchadehama said.

"Applicants contend that they are, themselves, victims of crimes
perpetrated by the police and other security agents,"

State prosecutors accuse the activists, who have been released on
bail, of trying to scuttle the trial.