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Detained activists freed

A Zimbabwe magistrate on Wednesday acquitted eight opposition activists who were arrested in a Harare suburb at the weekend while campaigning for a "No" vote during the country's referendum on a draft constitution.

The eight activists, who included human rights lawyer Tendai Biti and a women's rights activist Priscilla Misihairabwi, were charged with violating electoral laws. But the magistrate reportedly said they had no case to answer.

The opposition under the banner of the Movement for Democratic Change and National Constitutional Assembly, who opposed the draft constitution, won the referendum with a 55 percent "No" vote while the "Yes" vote polled 45 percent.


This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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