- Evan Mawarire was arrested at Harare International Airport on Wednesday after 6 months in exile.
- He did not skip bail as people have alleged. The charges against him were dismissed and when he left Zimbabwe he was a free man.
- He has been charged with Subversion of a constitutionally elected government for organising protests in Zimbabwe and in New York. You can read his warned and cautioned statement on these charges here.
- He was also charged with Insulting the national flag to brand criminal activities and Wearing the flag while subverting the government. You can read his statement on those charges here.
- Yesterday he did not appear in court because the police did not have their paperwork in order and were not ready for trial.
- He is being represented by Harrison Nkomo, Advocate Fadzayi Mahere among other people
Court Room Updates:
- A number of accused people are at the Magistrate’s Court in order to attend trials. However, there is still no sign of Pastor Evan Mawarire
- We are waiting for Pastor Evan and his legal team to be taken to Court. No time has been specified
- Pastor Patrick Mugadza who made a “prophecy ” that President Mugabe will die on 17 October 2017 is also appearing in court today.
- We do not understand what is going on today. Pastor Evan must be at the courts by 16:30 hours, according to the Constitution which states that an accused should be brought to court within 48 hours
- Pastor Evan has finally arrived at the courts
- Police are refusing to let people into court 6
- Some war veterans are in the courtroom again today, in solidarity with Pastor Evan Mawarire
- Pastor Evan walks into courtroom holding a bible. He is looking tired but seems to be in good spirits
- Mawarire’s lawyer Harrison Nkomo complains that his client was detained by 9 members of central intelligence organisation at the airport on Wednesday
- State accuses pastor Evan of subverting a constitutionally elected government and planning to commit public violence
- State accuses Pastor Evan of opposing the introduction of bond notes, calling for stayaways, organising protests in Zimbabwe and in tthe US
- The state proposes that Pastor Evan should be remanded in custody until February 17, 2017
- Nkomo asks the court, “what is wrong with asking a President to resign? He did not set up an army”
- Mawarire’s Lawyer Harrison Nkomo argues that urging citizens to boycott passively is perfectly constitutional
- Nkomo adds that Mawarire did no go to the army and tell them to stage a coup and argues that the state’s papers do not say that Mawarire’s actions were unconstitutional
- Nkom adds that Pastor Evan never called for violent protests, but urged passive resistance and peaceful boycotts
- Court is adjourned after submissions from both parties
- People have to be moved to court 7 because its too dark in courtroom 6 and there are no lights
- Magistrate comes back after almost an hour to deliver his ruling
- Evan Mawarire denied bail and remanded him in custody until February 17 by Magistrate Elisha Singano.
- Magistrate maintains that there is reasonable suspicion that he committed an offence.
- Singano says right to demonstrate is in the Constitution but there are limitations as it’s not absolute
- Organising boycott or resistance is unconstitutional says Magistrate
- Pastor Evan was advised to apply for bail at the High Court, he will have to endure a very long weekend in the cells
- Mawarire’s hope is that the High Court will be able to grant him bail on Monday
- Pastor Evan is now getting into a waiting prison van although he seems defiant. He is waving at people and saying he will continue speaking out
- Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights will continue with efforts to release Pastor Evan
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