A number of opposition figures arrested for allegedly breaching Zimbabwe's lockdown rules have been released on $1,000 (£789) bail each.

Tendai Biti, Lynette Karenyi-Kore, David Chimhini, Gladys Hlatywayo, Lovemore Chinoputsa and Vongai Tome - all of the MDC party - were arrested on Friday for gathering at a building in the capital Harare that had been occupied overnight by a rival faction with the help of military and police.

The takeover was condemned by the US embassy, which called the security forces' actions "politicised":

We are dismayed by the politicized use of security forces to take over the headquarters of an opposition party and arrest its members. A healthy democracy requires healthy opposition parties. #PoliticalArrests #AHouseStolen pic.twitter.com/l3L7Irht2r

— U.S. Embassy Harare (@usembassyharare) June 5, 2020

All six were freed on bail on Saturday after being charged with "criminal nuisance" and breaching Covid-19 regulations banning gatherings of more than 50.

Their lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa said she would file a complaint, and called the arrests "ironic" because police themselves did not enforce social distancing rules in her clients' cells nor supply "masks or any sanitisers despite request".