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Opposition Leaders Detained In Zimbabwe

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The Associated Press

Published: June 5, 2008

HARARE, Zimbabwe - The leader of Zimbabwe's opposition was detained by police about nine hours Wednesday amid ominous signs the government is tightening its grip on the country less than four weeks before a presidential runoff election.

Morgan Tsvangirai, who returned 12 days ago to face President Robert Mugabe in the June 27 ballot, was taken with about 14 others from his Movement for Democratic Change to a police station in Lupane, north of Bulawayo, his spokesman said.

Spokesman George Sibotshiwe was quoted in a party statement as saying Tsvangirai was released after being charged with a public order offense that he described as "a spurious charge of attracting a large number of people."

Among those with Tsvangirai were the party's vice president, Thokozane Kupe, and chairman, Lovemore Moyo. They were stopped by police at a roadblock while campaigning in towns north of Bulawayo, according to Tsvangirai's spokesman.

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