Jailed diamond researcher remains behind bars
in [Physics]
|
Prev: Last Call for Papers Reminder (extended): World Congress on Engineering and Computer Science WCECS 2010
Next: Pressure mounts for diamond researchers release from jail
From: as on 18 Jul 2010 07:28 Jailed diamond researcher remains behind bars Radio Africa News By Alex Bell 09 July 2010 Jailed human rights activist and diamonds researcher Farai Maguwu will remain behind bars this weekend, after a ruling on his bail appeal was postponed until next Monday. Maguwu, who has been imprisoned for five weeks without trial, was denied bail last Friday. His lawyers on Monday filed an application to appeal the High Court�s decision. The hearing was meant to be heard on Wednesday but was delayed until Friday, with the Attorney General�s office arguing it wasn�t ready. On Friday, High Court Judge Mawadze Gurainesu deferred his ruling until next week, saying he needed more time to go through the submissions of the state and Maguwu�s defence team. The state prosecutor argued that Maguwu must remain in custody until the investigations are completed, saying he would �abscond� if released and �interfere with investigations.� The prosecutor also said the state needed at least another month to conduct its investigations. Defence lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa in turn argued that the state is continuously denying Maguwu freedom on the same basis that the investigations are not complete, despite no evidence of any investigations taking place. Mtetwa said that the lack of evidence before the court was a clear testimony that the state was �dragging its feet� in dealing with the matter. She urged the court not to tolerate the state�s actions, and grant Maguwu his freedom. The rights activist is being charged with communicating so-called �falsehoods� deemed prejudicial to the state and if found guilty faces up to 20 years behind bars. Maguwu heads the Mutare based Centre for Research and Development (CRD) which has exposed the ongoing abuse and corruption at the Chiadzwa diamond fields. Rights groups have been calling for Zimbabwe�s suspension from international diamond trade over the abuses. But the international trade watchdog, the Kimberley Process, last year decided to allow Zimbabwe more time to fall in line with minimum trade standards. A set of guidelines were established to reach this goal, including the appointment of an approved monitor, to report back to Kimberley Process members on Zimbabwe�s efforts. That monitor Abbey Chikane, has since recommended that diamonds from Chiadzwa be given the legal certification from the Kimberley Process to allow their sale. This despite evidence given by Maguwu and other human rights groups that abuses are in fact continuing. Chikane himself has been fingered as the instigator of Maguwu�s arrest, which happened shortly after a confidential meeting between the two men. Maguwu has said Chikane �shopped� him to the police and it is widely believed that Maguwu�s ongoing detention is a deliberate attempt to silence him. |