Morgan Tsvangirai AP PHOTO

Police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said police arrested Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai and other party officials as they "instigated people to come out and commit acts of violence."

The activists appeared in court March 13, bruised, battered and bloodied -- reportedly by police while in custody.

Authorities had declared the prayer meeting illegal and in breach of a three-month ban on political demonstrations against economic misery and political repression.

The Japan Times Weekly: March 17, 2007
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