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Zimbabwe gay rights workers released after alleged torture
Two gay rights activists in Zimbabwe have been freed after six days in police custody where it is claimed they were abused and tortured.
Ellen Chadehama and Ignatius Mhambi were arrested last week accused of possessing pornographic material and insulting president Robert Mugabe.
Their employer, Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ), said the two were assaulted by police while in custody.
They were also made to bend their knees into a sitting position with their arms outstretched for long periods and struck with bottles when they weakened and fell, according to their defense attorney, David Hofisi.
Nelson Chamisa, a government minister and spokesman for the Movement for Democratic Change, condemned the alleged abuse: "Ill treatment or inhumane handling of any human being for any reason goes against our philosophy. We do not believe harassment is the best way of doing business. It flies in the face of the democratic order."