Zimbabweans accused of protest plot granted bail

A Zimbabwe court granted bail to six political activists accused of plotting protests against President Robert Mugabe similar to those that toppled long-serving leaders in Egypt and Tunisia.

Police arrested 46 people in the capital Harare on Feb. 19 as they watched videos of protests in the North African states and discussed possible demonstrations in Zimbabwe, where Mugabe, 87, has held power for 31 years.

Although there has been little echo of north African protests south of the Sahara, authorities in a number of countries with leaders who have held power for decades are clearly on edge.

Last week, a Harare magistrate’s court withdrew charges against 40 activists after state prosecutors agreed with defence lawyers that the government did not have a strong case.

On Wednesday, High Court Judge Samuel Kudya released the remaining six on bail of $2,000 each, saying that although they faced treason charges and possible execution if convicted, the case against them appeared very weak.

"I see no iota of evidence that any Zimbabwean ever contemplated any Tunisian- or Egyptian-(style) revolution," he said in his bail ruling.

The state has not yet set a trial date.

The accused — including Munyaradzi Gwisai who heads a small but radical pressure group called the International Socialist Organisation — have all pleaded not guilty.

Defence lawyers say the activists were engaged in an academic debate on African politics when the police pounced on them. International human rights groups had appealed for their release.

Mugabe has used tough policing to keep critics in check in the face of an economic crisis many blame on his policies.