The High Court in Zimbabwe has granted bail to prominent activist and Pastor Evan Mawarire who was recently charged with treason, a crime which carries up to 20 years imprisonment.
The 41-year-old cleric is among dozens of people arrested in a security crackdown on anti-government demonstrators who took to the streets this month to protest against a hike in fuel prices.
Mawarire, who was arrested on 16 January and was charged with inciting violence, denies any wrongdoing. The controversial preacher rose to fame in 2016 during the infamous #ThisFlag protests that challenged the repressive regime of former president Robert Mugabe, before he was forced out of power in a peaceful military intervention in November 2017.
Twelve people died while at least 1,000 others including children have been detained during the protests that began on January 14, following a 130 percent increase on the price of fuel by President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s regime.
