The Czech Republic Deputy Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Michal Nobak will this week visit a citizen of his country who is languishing in a Zimbabwean jail, reported The Mirror.
Nobak confirmed the visit to the publication but declined to comment on the matter. He was quoted as saying:
I will be there. We wish for the best, otherwise no comment.
The Czech citizen, Lucas Slavik, who was arrested for allegedly publishing falsehoods in Masvingo this month, was denied bail by a magistrate.
Last week, Masvingo Provincial Magistrate Franklin Mkwananzi ruled that there was overwhelming evidence that Slavik committed the offence with which he was charged.
The magistrate said that if he was released, he would likely abscond because of the country’s porous borders.
Prosecutor Tarisai Muvengi also argued that Slavik faces 20 years in jail and that was a serious offence.
The Czech’s charge was altered from spreading falsehoods to publishing a false statement with the intention to incite the public.
Slavik is alleged to have recorded a statement in a video in which he said that there was no water or electricity in Masvingo.
His lawyer told the court that Masvingo was going for days without water and 12 hours without electricity.
The State dropped another charge against Slavik, that is, criminal nuisance.
Slavik reportedly wailed in court after he was denied bail.
He was initially remanded to August 16, 2024, but this was later changed to be the trial date after his lawyer, Knowledge Mabvure protested and the magistrate concurred.
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