The man leading the movement for change in Zimbabwe has told Sky News in his first interview after being released from police custody that the government "can no longer push around its citizens".

The release of Pastor Evan Mawarire was an unexpected legal victory following hours of peaceful protest by hundreds of people outside Harare Magistrates' court in the country's capital.

"This is huge," he said, as he struggled to make his way through an exhilarated and excited crowd of supporters mobbing him. "We're not backing down any more. This is our chance to speak about our country. We have been quiet for too long."

Image: Pastor Evan Mawarire speaks to Sky News

His call for more peaceful action follows the hugely popular response to his campaign for change, which he started under the hashtag #ThisFlag.

Pastor Mawarire was arrested after calling for a general strike which prompted some outbreaks of violence.


He was first charged with inciting violence but this was changed at the last minute to the much more serious charge of treason.

The Pastor's detention led to hundreds of people draping themselves in the national flag and congregating outside the court in a rare show of solidarity. Criticism and popular dissent is largely untolerated in Zimbabwe.

Shortly after our interview with the Pastor, the Sky crew (cameraman Garwen McLuckie and me) were detained at our lodgings and 'invited' to accompany a team of police and immigration officers to the international airport in the back of a police van.

This was despite an invitation we had been given from officials, clearing all usual immigration channels on landing in the capital and being escorted by a group of government workers on arrival.

We were held in a room for about 12 hours while we were questioned by a large group of officials, our bags searched, telephones examined and all personal and official documents inspected with some removed and photographed.

Image: Pastor Mawarire was mobbed by supporters as he left police custody

We asked to see a lawyer but were refused access to him when he arrived at the airport. He was asked to remove himself from the airport grounds.

Demonstrations are rare in Zimbabwe because of the typically severe reaction from the authorities but the social media-driven campaign has meant the emergence of sporadic protests in recent weeks which have shown groups of people taking on the police, hurling stones as well as insults.

It has also meant there is much more widespread sharing of incriminating videos showing police beatings - in one case women and children on the soles of their feet. It can cause excruciating pain without leaving the telltale signs of torture.

The Pastor's detention led to hundreds of lawyers banding together to defend him in court in an unprecedented show of solidarity.

The magistrate took hours to reach his judgement, freeing the Pastor in what was described as a "hugely significant" decision which indicated a "revolution is brewing", in the words of one of the lawyers.