Updated

Zimbabwe's High Court orders the immediate release of a prominent rights lawyer detained for eight days for obstructing the course of justice.

Court officials said Beatrice Mtetwa was asked to post a $500 bail and her release papers will be prepared Monday.

High Court Judge Joseph Musakwa ruled that Mtetwa was following professional legal procedures when she demanded to see a search warrant from police at the offices of four officials in Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's party. Those officials are accused of illegally compiling information on high level corruption and will appeal for bail later Monday.

Mtetwa and the four officials deny any wrongdoing.

Lawyers' groups have cited the arrests as intimidation against opponents of President Robert Mugabe by loyalist police and officials ahead of elections around July.