Zimbabwe opposition leader in custody

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Zimbabwean police took former finance minister and opposition leader Tendai Biti into custody on Thursday after Zambian authorities rejected his bid for asylum and deported him, his lawyers said.

Biti is among the nine opposition figures for allegedly fomenting violence following a disputed national election in which President Emmerson Mnangagwa was declared the winner, reports said.

September 7, 2016: Tendai Biti, former finance minister, speaks to journalists after a two-week ban on public protests issued by the police was struck down, outside Zimbabwe's High Court in the capital Harare. /VCG Photo

Deported by Zambia

Zambian authorities on Thursday deported top Zimbabwean opposition figure Tendai Biti, rejecting his claim for asylum after he fled following allegations of inciting post-election protests.

Biti, a veteran figure in the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), fled to Zambia on Wednesday, amid what his party says is a crackdown over its claims that last week's landmark elections in Zimbabwe were rigged.

Zambia had swiftly rejected Biti's asylum claim and said he would be sent back across the border.

"His asylum was denied on the basis that in his country there is no breakdown in the rule of law," Zambian government spokeswoman Dora Siliya said, adding that Biti himself was "running away from the due process of the law" as he is wanted by authorities.

Tendai Biti (C) greets supporters outside the MDC Alliance's headquarters in Harare, July 31, 2018. /VCG Photo

Taken into custody

After Zambian authorities rejected his bid for asylum and deported him, Zimbabwean police took Biti into custody on Thursday, according to his lawyers.

"The information we have is that he is now being escorted back to Harare by detectives," Alec Muchadehama, one of the several Zimbabwean lawyers representing Biti, told Reuters.

Police national spokeswoman Charity Charamba said she had no information on Biti’s case.

Biti had been hiding since last week and had feared for his life, Nqobizitha Mlilo, also his lawyer, said.

September 11, 2016: Tendai Biti addresses hundreds of supporters during a rally at White City Arena in Bulawayo. /VCG Photo

'Violation of international law'

Speaking of Biti's deportation, the UNHCR said, "It is reported that the authorities handed him over to his country of origin today despite a court order to the contrary."

"The court order only came after he was handed back to the Zimbabwe authorities," Siliya said.

The UN refugee agency said in a statement on Thursday that it is gravely concerned by reports that a senior Zimbabwean politician was refused asylum in Zambia and sent back to his own country, which would be a serious violation of international law.

Screenshot of the official twitter account of the British Embassy in Harare

The British embassy in Harare, capital of Zimbabwe, said it was closely following Biti’s case and had spoken to Zimbabwean and Zambian authorities.

"We (and others) are seeking clear assurances from the Zimbabwean authorities that his safety will be guaranteed and constitutional rights fully respected,” the embassy wrote on its Twitter page.

(With inputs from agencies)