ZIMBABWE:
UPDATE
May 2, 2008
Original alert: April 16, 2008
Frank Chikowore, freelance
IMPRISONED
Chikowore, a freelance reporter, was released on a bail of 5 billion Zimbabwean dollars, along with several members of the opposition party, Movement for Democratic Change. He was charged with public violence in connection with the alleged burning of a bus during an anti-government protest in the capital, Harare, according to local journalists and the Media Institute of Southern Africa.
Speaking to CPJ while leaving prison, his shoes and clothes in hand, Chikowore said he was not mistreated while in detention, but was not feeling well and required medical attention.
Chikowore said his laptop, video camera and audio recorder were still in police custody and that he had been ordered to report to the police twice a week.