A surgeon and trauma specialist found clear signs of torture after examining two journalists detained by Zimbabwe military police.
The journalists had signs of severe beatings and electric shocks, said Dr Phillimon Chigwanda, who examined the two soon after their release last week.
The Defence Minister, Mr Moven Mahachi, had denied the journalists were physically abused and said they "probably scratched themselves". In a case condemned by Britain and the US, Mr Mark Chavunduka (34), editor of the independent Standard newspaper, and a reporter, Mr Ray Choto (37), were illegally detained by military police after they reported an alleged military coup plot.
There was bruising around Mr Choto's abdomen, buttocks, knees and arms, said Dr Chigwanda, a private surgeon hired by the newspaper to examine the men. Both hands were swollen and there were "marks of electrocution" on his body and his toes.
Mr Chavunduka was suffering from dizziness and pain in his eye sockets after being forced to look into a strong beam of light held four inches from his face in a dark room.
He also had bruises, some probably inflicted by heavy boots, and marks from electric shocks.
The government has denied the newspaper's coup report and described it as treasonable.
The two journalists have been charged under security laws forbidding publication of false information deemed likely to cause fear, alarm and despondency and are to appear in court next month.
The Attorney-General, Mr Patrick Chinamasa, has promised to order a police investigation into the torture of the journalists.