A Zimbabwean pastor, who was facing 20 years in prison after he organised protests against President Robert Mugabe, was released on 13 July.
Evan Mawarire was arrested accused of inciting violence but a judge later ordered him to be charged with ‘plotting to bring down an entire government’ – a crime that can mean two decades behind bars. He was released after a court in Harare agreed he was not being given a fair trial.
He organised ‘stay at home’ protests to try and shut down the Zimbabwe economy, forcing the president to step down.
In recent months Zimbabwe’s civil servants have not been paid and the economic crisis in the country has deepened. Robert Mugabe, 92, has led the country since independence in 1980. Protestors gathered outside the court in the capital Harare as Pastor Mawarire arrived for his hearing. Many sat praying as riot police armed with water cannon and tear gas looked on.
