Rights groups: Zimbabwe police intensify clampdown

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) — Rights groups on Tuesday said police in Zimbabwe have intensified a clampdown on civil society organizations and democracy campaigners ahead of a referendum on a new constitution and crucial elections to end the nation’s shaky coalition government dominated by President Robert Mugabe’s party.

Crisis in Zimbabwe, an alliance of rights groups, said police raided the offices of one of its member organizations on Monday and seized files on political violence, funding details, DVD display materials, mobile phones and other equipment. Officials of the widely respected Zimbabwe Peace Project were accused of illegal importation of goods and “possessing articles for criminal use.”