EU voices concern at raids on opposition

The European Union on Tuesday expressed alarm over Zimbabwean police raids and the seizure of property at the offices of the main opposition party, the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), news reports said.

“The European Union notes with concern the recent police raids on the offices of the Zimbabwean Movement for Democratic Change (MDC),” a statement issued by the French embassy was quoted as saying. France currently chairs the EU. “The European Union urges the government of Zimbabwe to acknowledge the legitimacy of opposition parties and their democratic right to function freely without harassment or hindrance,” the statement said. On Monday the US State Department said in a statement that Washington was “very concerned by events in Zimbabwe which constitute government harassment of a legitimate opposition political party”.

The police raided three MDC offices last week, justifying the action as a search for “war weapons”. They seized documents and arrested four party officials, who were then released after questioning.