Zim releases opposition leader

from msnbc

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Police released the Zimbabwean opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai after more than nine hours in detention Wednesday amid ominous signs that the government is tightening its grip on the country before this month's presidential runoff.

Tsvangirai spokesman George Sibotshiwe said Tsvangirai was released after being charged for a public order offence "on a spurious charge of attracting a large number of people," his party, the Movement for Democratic Change, said in a statement.

He had to sign an official police caution before he was released along with a group of about 14 party officials from a police station in Lupane, north of the city of Bulawayo. One of his security vehicles was seized.
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