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Police assault journalist
MISA-Zimbabwe
May 19, 2005

Frank Chikowore, a freelance journalist, was on 18 May 2005 reportedly severely assaulted by the police before being thrown into cells at Harare Central Police station together with several street vendors and suspected criminals rounded up during a police blitz in the central business district.

Chokebore was arrested while covering the operation during which armed police swooped on flea markets around the central business district, confiscating goods worth millions of dollars and assaulting people in the process.

His video camera, press accreditation card and two notebooks were confiscated by the police following his arrest for allegedly covering the operation without police permission.

Chikowore reportedly sustained injuries on his left foot following the assault.

Lawyers representing Chikowore confirmed that he was still being held at Harare Central Police Station. He had not been charged by 4 pm today as the police were still to record a warned and cautioned statement from him.

MISA-Zimbabwe through its Media Lawyers Network initiative, was making frantic efforts to secure his release.

Wilbert Mandinde, MISA-Zimbabwe’s legal officer who visited Chikowore at Harare Central today, said they were working on an urgent application which they would file with the High Court seeking an order for his immediate release.

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