By Andrew L. Jaffee

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has expropriated the homes of his own people, whom he calls “filth,” yet he remains one of those world leaders like Castro, Chavez, and Ahmadinejad, that the fashionably correct like to respect. Today, Mugabe’s goon-squad literally smashed Zimbabwe’s political opposition:

The leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) is in a bad state after being beaten by police in custody, says his lawyer.

Morgan Tsvangirai’s head was bandaged and his face swollen, said lawyer Innocent Chagonda, who saw him from a distance of about 10 metres.

Mr Tsvangirai was arrested on Sunday along with five colleagues after riot police broke up a public meeting.

Lawyers are seeking access to them and it is unclear if any have been charged.

The Save Zimbabwe Campaign, which organised the meeting says they have also been tortured.

One prominent government critic, Lovemore Madhuku, suffered a broken arm and had to be rushed to hospital after passing out, the civic grouping said.

Save Zimbabwe Campaign lawyers report that Mr Tsvangirai fainted three times in custody. …

One activist was shot dead at the rally, in the capital, Harare.