'Zimbabwe peace activist held in notorious maximum security prison'

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
A Zimbabwean peace activist has been traced to a notorious maximum security prison despite a court order that she be taken to hospital, a leading human rights lawyer said. Jestina Mukoko and nine opposition members are being held accused of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe. The plot has been widely dismissed as fabricated, and is possibly an attempt by Mugabe's regime to find an excuse to declare a state of emergency. Zimbabwean lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa said Friday that police told her Mukoko had been taken to Chikurubi prison outside of the capital. Another lawyer went to the prison and confirmed she was there but had not been allowed access to her, Mtetwa said. Mukoko had been missing for three weeks before appearing in court Wednesday. A judge ordered that she receive medical attention for torture allegations to be investigated. Police refused to comply with the order and she went missing again on Thursday.