Zimbabwe cops accused of hiding activists

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Zimbabwean police allegedly moved nine human rights activists in custody to another location in defiance of a High Court order, the activists' lawyer says.

Attorney Beatrice Mtetwa said while a High Court judge ruled that activist Jestina Mukoko and her eight co-defendants should be released, police have allegedly moved the prisoners to an undisclosed location, The Times of London said Friday.

"I have just received information that they were taken by a red vehicle under armed police escort," Mtetwa alleged. "The police haven't complied with the order… I doubt if they will comply."

The activists had been accused of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe and his government.

But Judge Yunus Omarjee ruled Wednesday that the activists' detention at the hands of police was illegal and ordered they be turned over to a hospital in the capital of Harare.

The missing group's next court appearance has been scheduled for next Monday, The Times said.