Tsvangirai

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP):

Zimbabwe's main Opposition Leader suffered a suspected skull fracture, brain injury and internal bleeding, doctors reported yesterday, after what lawyers and other activists said were savage beatings while in police custody.

Morgan Tsvangirai told the British Broadcasting Corp. in an interview from his hospital bed that police beat him on the head, and that he suffered body blows to the knees and back, and that his arm was broken. But he said he was unbowed.

The beating he and others suffered "just shows the extent to which this desperate regime is trying to protect its power", he told the BBC. "For the struggle, I think it's an inspiration to everyone. There is no freedom without struggle, and there is no freedom without sacrifice."

Tsvangirai, 54, was moved to a unit where he could be more closely monitored and was awaiting the results of a brain scan carried out earlier yesterday, said Tafadza Mugabe, one of his lawyers.

Reason for visit

President Robert Mugabe arrived at the hospital where Tsvangirai was being treated late yesterday afternoon. It is unclear why he was visiting the hospital.

Tsvangirai was among a dozen allegedly beaten by police who remained hospitalised, their lawyers said. Another 34 were released early yesterday from the private hospital in Harare where they had been taken after a court appearance on Tuesday, Tafadza Mugabe said. All were arrested as police broke up an Opposition prayer meeting on Sunday.