The International Press Institute (IPI), a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists for press freedom, today condemned the arrest of Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin鈥檕no.听
The prominent journalist, known for his coverage of corruption in the country, was arrested by state security on July 20. Chin鈥檕no had recently published a report revealing Covid-19 procurement fraud within the Health Ministry. Health Minister Obadiah Moyo was as a result of Chin鈥檕no鈥檚 report, which exposed the minister鈥檚 involvement in multimillion-dollar deals for essential supplies to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
Five hours after his arrest, Chin鈥檕no was charged with 鈥渋ncitement to participate in public violence鈥�, which comes as the government continues to anticipated participants ahead of planned anti-corruption protests on July 31.听
鈥淲e urge the Zimbabwean authorities to immediately release Mr. Chin鈥檕no and allow journalists to fulfill their duty of informing the public鈥�, IPI Director of Advocacy Ravi R. Prasad said. 鈥淶imbabwe should focus on continuing to investigate allegations of corruption rather than harassing journalists.鈥�
Chin鈥檕no managed to document the arrest on Facebook Live, as eight state security agents forced their way into his home in Harare. The post read 鈥�Police and State agents are harassing my workers at home! They are breaking into my home. Alert the world!鈥� and has since been deleted along with the journalist鈥檚 other social media accounts.听
He will appear in court today, July 21.听
According to data collected by IPI on Covid-19 related press freedom violations, Zimbabwe stands out among African countries for the most number of arrests and charges against journalists for their coverage of the pandemic.听