Zimbabwean diamond researcher and human rights activist Farai Maguwu's bail has been revoked just two weeks after his release from Harare Remand Prison, after police officials arrested and charges him with possession of a stolen vehicle.

According to All Africa, the car in question is the same one he was apparently using before his original arrest in June. A police official said that if authorities fail to prove the car was stolen, Maguwu may still face alternative charges of failing to register a vehicle.

The diamond rights activist was released to the custody of his lawyer, Tinoziva Bere, after making a statement and being charged.

Bere told the media that the new charges were Harare's way of persecuting his client, explaining that the police have no evidence to suggest that car is stolen. Bere said that at one point it wasn't clear if the police would actually release Maguwu, who was interrogated for several hours.

Bere also expressed anger that as Maguwu's lawyer, he was not allowed to be present during his client's interrogation, "In direct contravention of the constitution and international statutes of the law.

"Farai knows the kind of malice being directed at him and he saw the humorous side of these efforts to keep persecuting him," Bere said. "He is concerned though, that they won't let matters with him rest."

Maguwu still faces charges of relaying alleged information deemed "prejudicial against the State," in connection with human rights abuses

portrayed at the Chiadzwa diamond fields.

Maguwu's arrest stirred controversy and harsh criticism against Zimbabwe, and there have been widespread calls for Harare to drop all charges against him, with campaign groups arguing his arrest was to deliberately silence him amid Zimbabwe's bid to sell the controversial Chiadzwa diamonds.