U.S. election monitor freed in Zimbabwe

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S. citizen detained after monitoring Zimbabwe's elections was released on Wednesday, the nongovernmental group he represents said.

Dileepan Sivapathasundaram, a senior program officer with the National Democratic Institute (NDI), has left Zimbabwe after being "illegally detained" for six days, said the NDI, which monitors elections worldwide and promotes democracy.

"NDI is thankful that Mr. Sivapathasundaram has been released unharmed and wishes to thank those around the world who worked to secure his freedom," said former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who chairs the NDI board of directors.

"His illegal detention was another indication of the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe, where the government has yet to release results from the presidential election held more than 10 days ago."

NDI urged Zimbabwe's government to release others held in Zimbabwe for political reasons.

Zimbabwean authorities detained Sivapathasundaram last Thursday at Harare airport as he attempted to leave the country. NDI said he underwent days of "intensive questioning" by Zimbabwe authorities, who had confiscated his passport and computer.

Zimbabwe also detained a New York Times reporter, who has since been released on bail.

The United States and other nations have pressed Zimbabwe to release presidential election results, saying the delay raised suspicions over possible manipulation in the vote-counting.

"It is time for the government of Zimbabwe to provide an honest accounting of the results of the March 29 presidential election," Albright said.

"Its citizens made a choice at the polls and they have a right to have those reported without manipulation," she added.

(Reporting by Sue Pleming, editing by Patricia Zengerle)