Zimbabwean activists convicted on conspiracy charges

A former Zimbabwean lawmaker was convicted along with five others of conspiring to commit public violence. Former Highfield legislator and activist Munyaradzi Gwisai and the other five now face between six and 10 years in prison or a $2,000 fine for their convictions Monday, The Herald in Harare, Zimbabwe, reported. Gwisai was convicted jointly with Antoneta Choto, Tatenda Mombeyarara, Edson Chakuma, Hopewell Gumbo and Welcome Zimuto. Harare magistrate Kudakwashe Jarabini said prosecutors proved their case beyond reasonable doubt. Charges against the six stemmed from a Feb. 19, 2011, meeting during which they watched videos about Arab Spring events in Tunisia and Egypt, CNN reported. The six were arrested after the meeting and charged with treason or attempt to overthrow the government by unconstitutional means. Those charges later changed to conspiracy to commit public violence. "Watching the video is not a crime, however, the manner at which they watched it was meant to arouse feelings of hostility to those present in the meeting. Watching it in those circumstances was nasty and pathetic," Jarabini said. Gwisai said the verdict was "not surprising." "We are not deterred," he said. "We are not intimidated." The six will be sentenced at an unscheduled later date.