The Zimbabwean High Court has ordered the release of Peta Thornycroft, a correspondent for Britain's Daily Telegraph who has been jailed for four days on accusations of violating Zimbabwe's new press law. Her lawyer, Tendai Biti, said the judge had issued an order for her release.
Thornycroft, 57, is being charged under a section of a draconian press law enacted two weeks ago which makes it a crime to practice journalism without accreditation and valid qualifications.
Biti said the urgent order sought the release of Thornycroft and a full hearing of a challenge to the constitutionality of a clause requiring accreditation for journalists, to take place later before a full bench of judges.
Thornycroft was arrested on Wednesday in the eastern border town of Chimanimani and told she had been charged with "publishing false statements likely to be prejudicial to state security" and "incitement to public violence" under the country's new security laws. The charges carry a possible five-year jail term.
But her paper said Saturday that she has now been charged with the less serious offences of possessing a car with incorrect registration plates and working illegally as a journalist.
The charge of having an incorrect number plate carries a small fine, while that of operating without accreditation carries a possible two-year jail term.
AFP