Police murder suspects claim they were tortured

Twelve suspects accused of killing a police inspector appeared in a Zimbabwean court yesterday, where their lawyer said they were tortured repeatedly in jail.

The group shuffled into the courthouse, limping and handcuffed in pairs. Eight men and four women appeared with deep lacerations and welts on their legs and arms. They lifted their clothing to show the wounds. Several had swollen faces.

Tungamirai Madzokere testified in a statement that he suffered internal injuries in beatings that police recorded on video cameras. Defence lawyer Charles Kwaramba said that the suspects, members of the MDC, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party, were detained in a police crackdown in a western Harare township since the killing on Sunday.

Police took turns to assault them during nights in jail, sometimes jumping on and twisting their handcuffed wrists. Presiding Harare magistrate Shane Kubonera ruled the group remain in custody and reappear in court June 17.

He also ordered they receive medical attention and that inquiries into the torture claims be carried out by the office of the Attorney General.