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U.S., British Diplomats Released After Rough Handling in Zimbabwe

by Rob Walker | June 5, 2008 at 10:18 am | 208 views | 1 comment | 10 recommendations

US and British diplomats were handled roughly and illegally detained, then released on Thursday in Zimbabwe.

The five Americans, four Brits and three Zimbabweans were travelling in a convoy when they were attacked by police, who stopped their vehicles and slahed their tires. A spokesman also said a US staffer was beaten.

The diplomats were attempting to investigate political violence in the region and were held for over six hours until they were released.

U.S. and British diplomatic staff members who were roughly handled and held for hours at a roadblock north of Zimbabwe's capital Thursday have been released, a U.S. official said.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the detention and harassment of the U.S. diplomats is "absolutely outrageous" and the U.S. plans to raise the issue with the UN Security Council as well as Zimbabwean officials attending a UN food conference in Rome.

The incident is indicative of "repression and violence" Zimbabwe's government is willing to use against its own people, said McCormack.