HARARE, March 12 (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's High Court ordered police on Monday to allow lawyers access to detained opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, whose attorney said he was in "bad shape" from suspected assault while in police custody.

The court gave the order after lawyers said they had been refused permission by police to see Tsvangirai and dozens of other opposition figures arrested on Sunday over a banned prayer meeting, one of Tsvangirai's lawyers said.

"A provisional order was issued that we have access to our clients, that they should be taken to hospital where necessary and that they should be taken to court by 12 (p.m. local time) tomorrow (Tuesday) failure of which they should be released," Alec Muchadehama told Reuters.

He said lawyers would immediately visit police stations to gain access to their clients.

AlertNet news is provided by

Delicio.us  |   Digg  |   NewsVine  |   Reddit                                                                                  Permalink