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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Zimbabwe's Bennett on trial again | Zimbabwe's Bennett on trial again |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The politically divisive trial of a senior aide to Zimbabwe's prime minister has begun in Harare. | The politically divisive trial of a senior aide to Zimbabwe's prime minister has begun in Harare. |
| Roy Bennett was to become the country's deputy agriculture minister but was arrested in February on terror charges. | Roy Bennett was to become the country's deputy agriculture minister but was arrested in February on terror charges. |
| Zimbabwe's attorney-general told the court the case was "a very serious matter which must be treated with the seriousness it demands". | Zimbabwe's attorney-general told the court the case was "a very serious matter which must be treated with the seriousness it demands". |
| Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has called for the trial, which he calls a "malicious prosecution", to stop. | Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has called for the trial, which he calls a "malicious prosecution", to stop. |
| The case was one of several issues which led Mr Tsvangirai to pull out of the coalition government he formed with President Robert Mugabe in February. | The case was one of several issues which led Mr Tsvangirai to pull out of the coalition government he formed with President Robert Mugabe in February. |
| He called off the three-week boycott last Thursday, after mediation efforts by Zimbabwe's neighbours. | He called off the three-week boycott last Thursday, after mediation efforts by Zimbabwe's neighbours. |
| Torture confession | Torture confession |
| Mr Bennett faces charges of terrorism, insurgency, sabotage and banditry in a case that the Movement for Democratic Change says is politically motivated. He denies all the charges against him. | Mr Bennett faces charges of terrorism, insurgency, sabotage and banditry in a case that the Movement for Democratic Change says is politically motivated. He denies all the charges against him. |
| ROY BENNETT Former coffee farmer - land seized by government2000: Elected MP2004: Jailed after pushing minister in parliament2006: Accused of plot to kill President Mugabe2006: Fled to South Africa2009: Nominated as deputy agriculture minister; arrested Profile: Zimbabwe's political farmer | ROY BENNETT Former coffee farmer - land seized by government2000: Elected MP2004: Jailed after pushing minister in parliament2006: Accused of plot to kill President Mugabe2006: Fled to South Africa2009: Nominated as deputy agriculture minister; arrested Profile: Zimbabwe's political farmer |
| Several cases of ammunition and rifles were brought into the High Court as evidence. | Several cases of ammunition and rifles were brought into the High Court as evidence. |
| Mr Bennett was described as sitting with his head bowed throughout the opening of the case. Some of the charges carry the death penalty. | Mr Bennett was described as sitting with his head bowed throughout the opening of the case. Some of the charges carry the death penalty. |
| On Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai told a rally on the outskirts of the capital that Mr Bennett "must be treated fairly". | On Sunday, Mr Tsvangirai told a rally on the outskirts of the capital that Mr Bennett "must be treated fairly". |
| "[Mr Mugabe's] Zanu-PF must show to the world that they are serious and are committed to democracy," he added. | "[Mr Mugabe's] Zanu-PF must show to the world that they are serious and are committed to democracy," he added. |
| Mr Mugabe says he does not oppose Mr Bennett becoming a minister but says he should be acquitted by the courts first. | Mr Mugabe says he does not oppose Mr Bennett becoming a minister but says he should be acquitted by the courts first. |
| After being accused of links to an alleged plot to kill Zimbabwe's veteran president in 2006, he fled to South Africa, saying he feared for his life. | After being accused of links to an alleged plot to kill Zimbabwe's veteran president in 2006, he fled to South Africa, saying he feared for his life. |
| A weapons dealer has said he was tortured to make him implicate Mr Bennett and other MDC officials in the alleged plot. | |
| The others have since been acquitted of the charges. | |
| Mr Bennett was arrested on the day he returned home, as he was due to be sworn in as prime minister. |