Zimbabwe opposition leader freed on bail

Zimbabwe's high court freed opposition leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai on bail today.

Zimbabwe's high court freed opposition leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai on bail today.

Mr Morgan Tsvangirai

Mr Tsvangirai was arrested on June 6th on treason charges for allegedly seeking to overthrow President Robert Mugabe after a week of mass street protests led by his Movement for Democratic Change party.

The government described the protests as an attempt to spark a coup d'etat.

Rejecting arguments from state lawyers that Mr Tsvangirai would continue to urge his supporters to revolt against Mr Mugabe if released, High Court Judge Susan Mavangira granted him bail of 10 million Zimbabwe dollars.

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"I've come to the conclusion that the state can strike abalance between the liberty of the accused person and theadministration of justice," Ms Mavangira said.

Mr Tsvangirai was not present when the bail decision wasreached, but in another courtroom where he is on trial onseparate charges of plotting to assassinate Mr Mugabe.