Zimbabwe’s government faced strong international condemnation after police crushed a prayer demonstration and allegedly tortured the country’s most prominent opposition leader and killed a pro-democracy activist.

The European Union presidency and the United Nations secretary-general condemned the reported arrest and torture of Zimbabwe opposition leaders after a weekend rally, and told Robert Mugabe’s government it must ensure the safety of those detained.

Top opposition leaders were assaulted and tortured by police who broke up a planned “Save Zimbabwe” prayer meeting in the capital, colleagues of the activists said today.