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Magistrate denies journalist bail citing volatile political situation
MISA-Zimbabwe
April 22, 2008

Freelance journalist Frank Chikowore and other accused persons among them the MDC director of information and publicity Luke Tamborinyoka who are facing charges of inciting public violence were on 22 April 2008 denied bail when they appeared in court on remand.

Magistrate Olivia Mariga denied Chikowore and his co-accused bail saying the political climate in the country is still volatile and as such the accused persons may continue to incite violence. She then remanded them in custody to 5 May 2008.

His lawyer, Harrison Nkomo said he would file an urgent application with the High Court on 23 April 2008 for Chikowore to be granted bail.

Background
According to his lawyer who was engaged by MISA-Zimbabwe under its Media Defence Fund facility, the police initially wanted to charge Chikowore with contravening the repressive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) for practicing journalism without accreditation.

However, Chikowore is duly accredited with the state-controlled Media and Information Commission (MIC) and was similarly accredited by the Zimbabwe Election Commission (ZEC) to cover the elections held on 29 March 2008.

Nkomo said the police had also contemplated charging him with malicious injury to property as well as attempted murder before settling for the charge of public violence.

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