Tendai Biti Charged With Treason

The Movement for Democratic Change dismisses as ludicrous the charges of treason levelled against its Secretary General, Tendai Biti.

Speaking from Harare, MDC Spokesperson, Nelson Chamisa, said, "Tendai Biti is a proud Zimbabwean who has been at the forefront of the struggle for a more democratic and prosperous country. He has at heart only the best intent for the country, its sovereignty and its people".

"Indeed, if any person's commitment to Zimbabwe should be questioned, it is those individuals in Mugabe's regime who have orchestrated the country's slide into dictatorship, economic ruin and impoverishment," Mr Chamisa added.

Mr Chamisa also said that, "Tendai is a man of moral courage and vision who knew what the regime had in store for him and decided to risk his own freedom to show to the world its illegitimacy and disregard for the rule of law".

The MDC believes that these charges represent yet another facet in Mugabe's campaign to subvert the will of the people ahead of the Presidential runoff through illegal detentions and a massive campaign of state-sponsored violence against the MDC and its supporters.

Now that the Mugabe regime has declared the charges against Mr Biti, the MDC demands that his lawyers be allowed access to him and that an independent judicial process take its course.

Statement issued by the Movement for Democratic Change June 12 2008