2008 Woodie Awards
Protesters rally to demand election results
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 4/17/08 Section: World
HARARE, Zimbabwe - Police arrested 36 people for allegedly using violence in trying to enforce a nationwide strike yesterday, while doctors reported treating dozens of patients showing signs of assault and torture since Zimbabwe's contentious presidential election.
The country was still waiting to hear results from a ballot that President Robert Mugabe is widely believed to have lost March 29.
The opposition called the strike to press for the release of results, but it seemed to have little effect, with most stores and banks open on the second day.
Three dozen young suspects were arrested in the capital, Harare, and four other cities for blocking streets, stoning cars and buses and preventing people from going to work, police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said.
A judge, meanwhile, acquitted New York Times correspondent Barry Bearak and British reporter Stephen Bevan of covering the election illegally. Magistrate Gloria Takwunda said the state "failed dismally to prove that there was reasonable suspicion of them practicing as journalists."
The two men were held by police for days following their arrest April 3. They had been free on bail for more than a week but blocked from leaving the country pending the court ruling.
A story on The New York Times' Web site said Bearak had left the country. "His only offense was honest journalism, telling Zimbabwe's story at a time of tormented transition," said Bill Keller, the newspaper's executive editor.
The country was still waiting to hear results from a ballot that President Robert Mugabe is widely believed to have lost March 29.
The opposition called the strike to press for the release of results, but it seemed to have little effect, with most stores and banks open on the second day.
Three dozen young suspects were arrested in the capital, Harare, and four other cities for blocking streets, stoning cars and buses and preventing people from going to work, police spokesman Wayne Bvudzijena said.
A judge, meanwhile, acquitted New York Times correspondent Barry Bearak and British reporter Stephen Bevan of covering the election illegally. Magistrate Gloria Takwunda said the state "failed dismally to prove that there was reasonable suspicion of them practicing as journalists."
The two men were held by police for days following their arrest April 3. They had been free on bail for more than a week but blocked from leaving the country pending the court ruling.
A story on The New York Times' Web site said Bearak had left the country. "His only offense was honest journalism, telling Zimbabwe's story at a time of tormented transition," said Bill Keller, the newspaper's executive editor.
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