The leader of Zimbabwe's main opposition party was taken to a hospital from a courtroom under police guard yesterday, walking slowly to the emergency vehicle and looking disoriented but able to board unaided.
A crowd outside the court sang and waved the opposition party's open hand salute as Morgan Tsvangirai and about six other activists left the magistrate's. Tsvangirai did not respond but others in vehicle returned the salute.
Riot police, wielding rubber batons and equipped with teargas, immediately ordered almost everybody out of the court except the accused and judicial officials. They surrounded the building, searching everyone who tried to enter.
"This is being done for people's safety," a senior police officer said to a chorus of jeers.
His lawyer had at first said Tsvangirai would remain in court to show solidarity with scores of detainees reportedly beaten by police who broke up an opposition meeting two days ago. But Tsvangirai, who had large gash on his head with about 10 stitches and badly swollen face and eyes, later went to the hospital in a minibus.
Tsvangirai was allegedly tortured after being arrested when police crushed the gathering on Sunday that was organized as a prayer meeting by a coalition of opposition, church and civic groups under the "Save Zimbabwe" banner.
Many members of the group brought from jails to the magistrate's court yesterday in the open bed of a large police truck arrived singing and chanting, but Tsvangirai was silent. Police presence was heavy.
Their lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, said no charges were immediately laid and the state prosecutor had no instructions. She said legal representatives were on their way to the attorney-general's office to learn whether the activists would be released. The court adjourned for lunch as Tsvangirai and the others were taken to the hospital.
Late on Monday, High Court Judge Chinemberi Bhunu had ordered police to allow Tsvangirai and others to receive immediate medical treatment and access to their lawyers.
Bhunu said that if police refused to comply with his ruling, he wanted to see the prisoners in his court by 8am. He also ordered they be charged or released by noon yesterday. Instead, they were brought to the magistrate's court hours after Bhunu's deadline.
Lawyers had said earlier police did not allow the medical care and legal advice Bhunu had ordered.
Doctors for Human Rights said in statement that at least 20 people were in urgent need of medical attention, including Tsvangirai, after Sunday's unrest.
The US ambassador to Zimbabwe told the British Broadcasting Corp that a local civil rights activist was permitted to see Tsvangirai yesterday and reported that he was in "very grave condition."
"He is apparently suffering from some kind of head injuries that have left him disoriented and not clearly focused mentally," Ambassador Christopher Dell said.
One activist, Lovemore Madhuku, arrived at the court yesterday with a bandaged arm. Another, Greg Kwinje, had head wounds around his ear. "Save Zimbabwe" members outside the court said they were worried that their friends might have internal injuries because of police beatings.
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