Czech tourist detained in Zimbabwe granted bail

Lukáš Slavík, a Czech tourist who was detained in Zimbabwe in early August on suspicion of spreading false statements about the country’s critical shortage of electricity and water, may be released on bail, a court in Zimbabwe ruled on Wednesday. However, if found guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Police arrested the Czech citizen on August 1 in Masvingo province, about 300 kilometres south of the capital Harare, while he was shooting a video in which he recounted in English the poor economic situation in Zimbabwe. Slavík has been on hunger strike since his arrest on August 2.