Zimbabwean lawyers Tapiwa Michineripi and Doug Coltart arrested

Zimbabwe

L4L is worried about the news of Zimbabwean lawyers Tapiwa Michineripi and Doug Coltart being arrested in the evening of 4 September. The lawyers were defending their hospitalized clients, before they were arrested on suspicion of obstructing justice.

Their clients, Womberaiishe Nhende and Sonele Mukhuhlani, members of the Citizens Coalition for Change, had reportedly been abducted and tortured by state agents on Saturday 2 September. As they were severely beaten by unidentified attackers, the lawyers argued that the two were mentally unfit to be questioned. Their arrest on the suspicion of obstruction of justice followed.

The lawyers have been granted bail on 5 September and are waiting to be released.

L4L will continue to monitor the case.