The activists, including prominent human rights advocate Jestina Mukoko, were released in March after being detained more than three months on accusations of plotting to sabotage the government of Zimbabwe's autocratic president of 29 years, Robert Mugabe. A magistrate revoked their bail yesterday, citing new indictments against the activists, who say the charges are false and intended to quell opposition to Mugabe.
The ruling cast doubt on the viability of the unity government headed by Tsvangirai and Mugabe, longtime enemies who partnered in February and pledged to salvage Zimbabwe's shattered economy. Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for Democratic Change, has vowed to continue in the alliance despite disagreements with Mugabe's party, ZANU-PF. Key among them is the fate of political prisoners.
"Today's ruling seriously threatens not only the life and health of the inclusive government, but its longevity and durability," the MDC said in a statement. "Today's ruling slams shut the door of international goodwill."
The activists, which include MDC members, were held in secret before appearing in court in December. Several have said they were tortured while in custody, and three remain hospitalized from injuries sustained in prison, one of their attorneys said.
"The charges are preposterous," said lawyer Alec Muchadehama, who said he had applied for a new bail hearing.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said it was troubling that 18 opposition activists in Zimbabwe were sent back to jail and repeated on Tuesday that no major aid would go to the country until there were firm signs of reform.
State Department spokesman Robert Wood questioned the pace of reform since February when veteran President Robert Mugabe formed a unity government with opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai.
"These ... 18 leading Zimbabwean activists ordered back to jail is troubling," Wood told reporters. "This is just another example of my concern about the lack of democracy, democratic processes in Zimbabwe," he added.
"We've got a lot of concerns about what's going on there. And so, up until we see changes, our position is going to remain," he said, referring to any major U.S. aid kicking in.
The activists, who face charges of terrorism, were ordered back to prison by a Zimbabwean court in a move that will spark new tensions in a government formed after months of bickering and a crackdown by Mugabe's forces on the opposition.
A Tyrant is a Tyrant.
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