Grace Mugabe is immune from prosecution in Hong Kong (repeatedly punched photographer in the face)

The Times (U.K.) ^ | March 22,2009 | Jane Macartney

[Stoat]

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Hong Kong-based British photographer Richard Jones encountered the 43-year-old wife of Robert Mugabe as she walked down a street near her luxury hotel in the heart of the city to go shopping.

She punched him in the face when he tried to take pictures of her on January 15, leaving Mr Jones with bruises and cuts where her diamond-encrusted ring had smashed into his face.

Mr Jones told AFP: "I think it's a disgrace for the Hong Kong government to allow a person to walk on a street in Hong Kong, punch a member of the media, and walk free from it. This is a town where the freedom of the media is a strong tradition."

He described her at the time as "completely deranged" as she struck him in the face repeatedly while her bodyguard grabbed him as she was leaving the five-star Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel.

He was working for The Sunday Times on a report about Mrs Mugabe’s extravagant holiday in the Far East that was in stark contrast to the lifestyle of the people of Zimbabwe. Nearly half the population is dependent on food aid and a cholera epidemic has claimed more than 4,000 lives.

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Mr Jones’ lawyer said CCTV footage and statements from independent witnesses had provided strong evidence for their case. Michael Vidler said the acerations inflicted on Mr Jones' face were sufficient to merit a charge of wounding rather than the more minor offence of common assault.

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[Peter Libra]

Six of one and half a dozen of the other.

Old country saying.

[chiefqc]

What surprises me the most is that this couple are not worm food.

[Stoat]

What surprises me the most is that this couple are not worm food.

I believe that they pay their bodyguards as well as their military commanders quite handsomely, and so it's in all of these people's personal interest that the Mugabes remain alive and in power.

Their tentacles undoubtedly reach quite far across the globe and into most circles of power.  The country that they hold at the neck under their iron bootheel contains some fabulous riches not limited to diamonds, which are things that any politician's wife loves to receive.....