Zimbabwean activist 'charged with subversion'

Zimbabwean activist Rashid Mahiya has been arrested and charged with subversion following violent anti-government protests last month, his lawyer told AFP news agency.

Mr Mahiya is director of Heal Zimbabwe Trust and chairman of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, an alliance of rights and social action groups.

Charges against Mr Mahiya stem from a meeting he organised in December which was attended by several non-governmental organisations, AFP adds.

Investigators allege that he used the gathering to call on other groups and fellow Zimbabweans to "subvert the elected government", his lawyer told Tonderai Bhatasara told AFP.