Audio By Carbonatix
Prominent Zimbabwean human rights activist Jestina Mukoko has been freed after three months in custody.
But Zimbabwean journalist Brian Hungwe told the BBC she remains in hospital, where she had been under police guard.
Ms Mukoko was accused of attempting to recruit people for military training to try to overthrow Robert Mugabe.
New Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai had said he would not join a unity government unless Ms Mukoko and other activists were freed from jail.
Several other activists were also reported to have been released.
Ms Mukoko's lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, said her client had been ordered to pay $600 in bail, surrender her passport and hand over the deeds to her house as surety, the AFP news agency reports.
"It's good she has been released, but she is still restricted," Ms Mtetwa said.
Ms Mukoko must continue to report to the police and is still facing charges, all of which she denies, her lawyer added.
Torture claim
Ms Mukoko, director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, was allegedly seized from her house outside Harare on 3 December by 15 armed men.
Her whereabouts were unknown for three weeks, during which time members of lawyers' groups staged protests against her abduction.
In an unusual move, a High Court judge ordered police to search for her and told the national Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation to run radio and television appeals for information.
The authorities then confirmed that she had been detained by the security forces.
She was one of 16 people charged with attempting to overthrow Mr Mugabe's government and replace it with one headed by Mr Tsvangirai.
Following a previous court appearance, a judge ordered that she receive medical treatment after she said she had been tortured.
'Obstruction'
In December, Mr Tsvangirai told the BBC that the abductions of activists were "deliberate attempts to decimate, intimidate and harass the opposition".
He was later criticised by some of his supporters for joining the power-sharing government before Ms Mukoko and about 30 other detainees had been freed.
Last week, Mr Tsvangirai said their continuing detention was threatening the power-sharing agreement with Mr Mugabe's Zanu-PF party, and accused the attorney general's office of "wilfully obstructing" their release.
Dozens of activists remain in prison, including senior MDC member Roy Bennett, who faces charges including terrorism and illegal arms possession.
Mr Bennett denies the charges, and the MDC has said his arrest was designed to derail the fledgling unity government.
Source: BBC
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
“Ghana has moved from ICU to wellness center” — Finance Minister declares economic recovery
4 minutes -
Ato Forson highlights “turning point” in economic recovery strategy
8 minutes -
NACSA Seminar: Gender Minister demands an increased role for women to end gun violence
13 minutes -
Full text: Statement on Ghana’s new engagement with IMF
20 minutes -
US trade mission to visit Ghana
58 minutes -
Tempane: Three suspects arrested over deadly Worinyanga attacksÂ
59 minutes -
EU fines Temu €200m for allowing sale of illegal products
60 minutes -
Portugal breaks hottest May day record as Europe swelters in heatwave
60 minutes -
KetaFC celebrates “vindication” after Volta RFA Middle League controversy
1 hour -
Professor Joseph Ofori-Dankwa receives 2026 Lifetime Leadership Impact Award
1 hour -
United Pension Trustees advocates menstrual hygiene awareness and support for girls in Juaben
1 hour -
The age when the body starts ageing faster
1 hour -
Controversial Volta RFA verdict triggers calls for GFA intervention
1 hour -
AIMS Ghana, University of Waterloo lead push for stronger mathematics education at HTTMC 2026
1 hour -
NADMO dismisses claims residents were not warned before Weija Dam spillage
3 hours