Thursday, October 1, 2009

Zimbabwe Activists Sue State for $500 Million


HARARE, Zimbabwe — The lawyer for a prominent Zimbabwean human rights activist and eight others says they are suing the government for $500 million after their terror charges were dropped.




Harrison Nkomo said Thursday that he is suing several officials for the abduction, wrongful arrest and torture of Jestina Mukoko and the others. The case targets the national police commissioner, intelligence minister and several police officers.



Nkomo said he filed the case on Tuesday.



The country's Supreme Court granted the activists a permanent stay of prosecution Monday because they were beaten and tortured in jail.



Mukoko was taken from her home in December and detained for months on charges of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe.

* AP