Front Line

Human rights defenders Mr Edward Chileka, Mr Howard Jimu and Mr Awonenji Chimera were on 4 March 2010 denied bail by a court in Lilongwe. They had been arrested on 24 February 2010 but only appeared for the first time in court on 2 March. 

Since 16 February 2010, executive members of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) have received a number of threatening messages. On 17 February, Front Line issued an urgent appeal on the threats against Mr Okay Machisa, ZimRights National Director. On 25 February, Mr Nunurai Jena, Mr Netsai Kaitano and Mr Jabulisa Tshuma also received threats. 

Human rights defender Mr Konstantin Baranov received a written warning from the office of the prosecutor in Rostov-on-Don on 19 February 2010 in relation to what is referred to as his “extremist behaviour”, which may lead to legal proceedings against him and his organisation. 

Human rights defender Mr Vadim Karasteljov was attacked by two unidentified individuals on 27 February 2010. This attack comes just one day after Vadim Karasteljov was released from administrative custody having spent seven days in custody on charges of holding an unsanctioned rally on 19 February 2010 and refusing to follow police orders. Vadim Karasteljov is a member of the Novorossijsk Human Rights Committee.