The World - News from Dec. 25, 1986

Associated Press correspondent John Edlin was freed after spending five days in what he described as a “medieval prison” in Zambia. Edlin, who was in Zambia covering the aftermath of food riots earlier this month, was jailed Friday. Four days later, Zambian authorities said that he had violated immigration laws. The reporter, based in Harare, Zimbabwe, was banned from Zambia in 1974 while working for a South African news service, but obtained permission in 1982 to cover events in Zambia for the Associated Press. New Zealand, American, Australian and British diplomats were involved in efforts to free Edlin. He was taken directly from the prison to the airport and forced to leave without his baggage.