Zimbabwe court acquits more than 70 activists in detention since June

Demonstrators gather in support of activists detained in mid-June 2024, outside the Harare Magistrates Court. Jeremiah Bamu, of Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, speaks outside the Harare Magistrates Court, on Sept. 4, 2024. Charles Kwaramba, of the group Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, speaks to reporters outside Harare Magistrates Court, Sept. 4, 2024. Khanyo Farisè, Amnesty International's deputy regional director for East and Southern Africa (Photo courtesy of Amnesty International)

More than 70 activists were acquitted Wednesday after being arrested in Zimbabwe in June for disorderly conduct for allegedly planning to peacefully demonstrate during a meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).