Zim activists plead not guilty

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Harare - Seven members of Zimbabwe's main opposition party were formally charged in a bombing plot but all say they are not guilty.

The seven charged on Wednesday are among dozens of rights activists and opposition party members detained in recent weeks in what the opposition calls a crackdown on dissent.

They were the first to be formally charged.

The seven include Gandi Mudzingwa, an adviser to Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai; and Chris Dhlamini, head of security for Tsvangirai's party.

Lawyer Alec Muchadehama, who entered his clients' not guilty pleas, told the judge the charges of terrorism, banditry and insurgency were "ridiculous and scandalous".

If convicted, the defendants could face the death penalty.

- AP