Zimbabwe dissident denies new charges [The Morning Call]

Zimbabwe on Monday put on trial an activist pastor Evan Mawarire accused of attempting to subvert the government and inciting public violence following protests last year against President Robert

Mugabe’s handling of the economy. The charge carries up to 20 years in prison on conviction. The dissident pastor pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Evan Mawarire, through his social media campaign #ThisFlag movement, had led a stay-at-home demonstration in 2016, the biggest protest in a decade.

The campaign urged citizens to speak out against economic problems and government’s failure to pay workers.

He was arrested again for subversion on Sunday as he stepped down from his pulpit.

Police accuse him of circulating social media posts that accused the government of wrecking the economy.