Harare — The Standard Editor Mr Davison Maruziva was yesterday arrested over two articles published by the weekly newspaper deemed to be prejudicial to the State and were in contempt of court.

Police national spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena confirmed the arrest last night. "He was arrested this afternoon on charges of contravening section 31 (a)(b) of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act for publishing or communicating a false statement prejudicial to the State," he said. Ass Comm Bvudzijena said the first charge relates to an article written by MDC faction leader Mr Arthur Mutambara on April 20 2008.

In the article published under The Standard's Sunday View banner, Mr Mutambara launched a scathing attack on President Mugabe, Government and Zanu-PF. He claimed the country was characterised "by extreme illegitimacy where we have an abrasive caretaker President and an illegal constituted Cabinet in cahoots with an imbecilic and cynical military junta".

In the same article, Mr Mutambara fired a broadside at South African President Thabo Mbeki, the Sadc-appointed facilitator in the Zanu-PF/MDC talks. Mr Maruziva also faces charges of breaching section 182 (a)(b) of the Criminal Codification and Reform Act which relates to an opinion he allegedly wrote on the judgment given by Justice Tendayi Uchena following an application by the MDC-T over the March 29 election results.

Police believe the comment is contemptuous. Ass Comm Bvudzijena said Mr Maruziva was likely to appear in court today.