Zimbabwean opposition activists bruised, battered and bloodied – reportedly by police while in custody – have been temporarily released, their lawyer said.

Zimbabwean officials tonight defied a judge’s order to release two British journalists on bail, two weeks after they were detained near a polling station during Zimbabwe’s parliamentary election.

Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe today called a general election on March 31 amid fears tat voting polling could be as violent and flawed as the last vote.