Wellington Chibebe and Lovemore Matombo are Zimbabwean union leaders arrested and charged with "spreading falshoods prejudicial to the state" (in other words, being active trade unionists and democrats). Their trial was planned to start yesterday, however the judge and prosecutors did not attend the court, and the trial has now been rescheduled for July 30th.

The TUC organised a protest yesterday, to coincide with the planned start of the trial, and they report: Hundreds of unionists and human rights supporters gathered outside the Zimbabwean Embassy on the Strand in London today to protest at the scheduled trial of Lovemore Matombo and Wellington Chibebe of the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions.

We couldn't be there, but both Kate and I submitted photos for the TUC's giant mosaic of thousands of photos of trade unionists from around the world who are expressing their solidarity. The mosaic will appear on banners and placards at demos around the world as the trial starts. It looks excellent. Recognise anyone?