Court move to arrest Mugabe

A British court will today be asked to issue an arrest warrant for Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe.

The unprecedented legal move could see Mugabe held if he sets foot in countries that have an extradition treaty with the UK, including France and Switzerland, where he is known to go on shopping trips.

The action is being brought by gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who wants the African leader to be put on trial for the torture of alleged dissidents and critics of his regime.

The move exploits international laws which led to the arrest of former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet when he visited London for an operation in 1998.

Under the 1988 Criminal Justice Act, the United Nations convention on torture is incorporated into British law, meaning anyone who commits, authorises, colludes, acquiesces in or condones acts of torture anywhere in the world can be prosecuted in Britain.

Mr Tatchell, who attempted a citizen's arrest on Mugabe in Brussels two years ago, said today: "It is inconceivable that Mugabe is not aware of the practice of torture by people under his jurisdiction. He has taken no steps to stop it and that makes him guilty under antitorture law."

The case is due to be heard at Bow Street Magistrate's court by district judge Timothy Workman.