Arrest and Torture of Members
On February 19, 2011, the Zimbabwean police raided a meeting of the ISO, who were discussing the revolts in the Middle East. They arrested 52 people, of which were students, union members and workers, all still currently detained. Gwisai is among those detained. The Central Intelligence Organisation is believed to have infiltrated the meeting. Police reportedly broke into the meeting, seized laptop computers, DVDs and a video projector, before arresting the attendees. The DVDs allegedly included video clips from BBC World News and Al Jazeera. Those arrested face charges of treason and "subverting a constitutionally elected government" and face a possible death sentence if found guilty. On February 23, Gwisai recounted in a court appearance, the torture he and other detainees underwent, which was administered by police. Detainees were lashed as authorities sought confessions. Gwisai said the torture was "indescribable, sadistic and a tragedy for Zimbabwe." As of March 1, none of the detainees had received any medical care, including detainees who are HIV-positive and one detainee who, shortly before, underwent brain surgery. The state prosecutor claims the meeting was an attempt to foment an uprising against Mugabe.
Read more about this topic: International Socialist Organisation (Zimbabwe)
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