Detained journalist, Hopewell Chin’ono – who was arrested
last week on allegations of inciting public violence – filed an appeal for bail
at the High Court on Monday, his lawyers said.
Chin’ono, who is thought to be one of the people at the
centre of plans by the opposition and some civic groups to hold street protests
on July 31, was denied bail at the Harare magistrates court on Friday last
week.
Magistrate Ngoni Nduna remanded Chin’ono in custody to
August 7 this year, citing that he was a danger to the public and would violate
the law if released.
“Our lawyers Beatrice Mtetwa, Gift Mtisi and Dough Coltart
today (Monday) filed a bail appeal at (the) High Court seeking the release from
prison of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono who is currently detained in remand
prison,” his legal representatives, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights
tweeted.
“The bail appeal will be heard on Wednesday 29 July, 2020.”
A freelance journalist, Chin’ono has been allegedly using
social media to incite the public to engage in street protests on July 31,
under the guise of fighting top-level corruption.
Another activist, Jacob Ngarivhume was also arrested on the
same charges and denied bail. He was remanded in custody to August 6.
Authorities are also concerned that the planned
demonstrations would put the lives of people at risk as there are no guarantees
that protesters would observe Covid-19 restrictions such as social distancing.
Zimbabwe is experiencing a spike in Covid-19 cases,
particularly local transmissions which have now overtaken imported ones.
New Ziana
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