Source: Prominent Zimbabwe journalist remains behind bars for tweet | Zimbabwe | Al Jazeera
Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was charged with obstructing justice and contempt of court for a tweet [File: Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters]
Hopewell Chin’ono was accused of breaching his bail conditions by tweeting about the court outcome of a gold smuggling scandal.
Chin’ono is accused of breaching his bail conditions by tweeting about the court outcome of a gold smuggling scandal despite a ban on him posting on Twitter.
He had initially been arrested in July on charges of inciting public violence before planned anti-government protests but was freed in September on bail.
The 49-year-old, who was arrested again on Tuesday, arrived at the Harare magistrate’s court in leg irons and handcuffs, where he was charged with obstructing justice and contempt of court for the tweet.
His latest detention is linked to the arrest of Zimbabwe Miners Federation head Henrietta Rushwaya at Harare Airport on October 26 as she was about to board a flight to Dubai with six kilos (13 pounds) of gold in her hand luggage.
In a tweet, Chin’ono said he had talked to prosecutors about Rushwaya, an act which the state said had jeopardised “the integrity of the case against himself and that of Rushwaya”.
Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa ordered that Chin’ono be detained at Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, which houses convicted criminals on death row or serving life terms.
His legal team said his case should not be heard by a Special Anti-Corruption Court as it did not involve graft, and said the new detention conditions threatened their client’s welfare.
“Why is he being kept together with most- dangerous criminals in D Section when he is not a dangerous criminal?” lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa asked.
COMMENTS
This is very sad indeed. Hopewell Chin’ono is detained in Chikurubi Maximum prison, for what reason?,yet corrupt relatives of the president like Obadiah Moyo, Henrietta Rushwaya and others are given preferential treatment, may the Almighty God intervene and address the evil system in our country. Amen.
Chin up my man, as they say in the Army. The first two years are the worst. You have been “picked” to strike fear into every other reporter, take pride in being the Government’s choice. The one who could not cowed.
Yes be strong ,the regime is in panick mode . You are a hero ,don’t be bought by the regime now.