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Zimbabwe's Bennett trial delayed | Zimbabwe's Bennett trial delayed |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The politically divisive trial of a senior aide to Zimbabwe's prime minister has been adjourned after two hours of legal arguments. | The politically divisive trial of a senior aide to Zimbabwe's prime minister has been adjourned after two hours of legal arguments. |
Roy Bennett was arrested on terror charges as he was due to be sworn in as deputy agriculture minister. | Roy Bennett was arrested on terror charges as he was due to be sworn in as deputy agriculture minister. |
The attorney-general said the case was "a serious matter which must be treated with the seriousness it demands". | The attorney-general said the case was "a 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 |
The trial is to resume on Wednesday. | The trial is to resume on Wednesday. |
The prosecution is challenging some defence submissions, while the defence is calling for an inquiry into the conduct of Attorney General Johannes Tomana, who is prosecuting in this case. | The prosecution is challenging some defence submissions, while the defence is calling for an inquiry into the conduct of Attorney General Johannes Tomana, who is prosecuting in this case. |
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 |
The MDC accuses Mr Tomana of persecuting its members and wants him to be replaced. | The MDC accuses Mr Tomana of persecuting its members and wants him to be replaced. |
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. |
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, Mr Bennett 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, Mr Bennett 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. | 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. | The others have since been acquitted of the charges. |