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Zimbabwe court acquits PM's ally Zimbabwe court acquits PM's ally
(40 minutes later)
A Zimbabwean court has acquitted a leading politician, Roy Bennett, on charges of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe.A Zimbabwean court has acquitted a leading politician, Roy Bennett, on charges of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe.
Mr Bennett is an aide to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai. Mr Bennett is a senior member of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC party.
The judge ruled that prosecutors had failed to prove that e-mails allegedly linking Mr Bennett to an arms dealer were genuine. The judge ruled that the prosecution failed to prove that its alleged link of Mr Bennett to a convicted arms dealer was genuine.
The case had threatened to split the country's unity government of long-term rivals Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai.The case had threatened to split the country's unity government of long-term rivals Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai.
Mr Bennett was already free on bail.Mr Bennett was already free on bail.
The white farmer is a leading member of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). 'Good triumphs'
Speaking outside the court in Harare, he told the BBC he was happy to be acquitted and now had the time and strength to move on.
"Good has triumphed over evil," he said.
The white farmer is a leading member of Mr Tsvangirai's MDC (Movement for Democratic Change).
He was to have taken a position as deputy minister for agriculture in the government when he was arrested in February 2009.He was to have taken a position as deputy minister for agriculture in the government when he was arrested in February 2009.
ROY BENNETT 2000: Elected MP2004: Jailed after pushing minister in parliament2006: Accused of plot to kill President Mugabe2006: Fled to South Africa2009: Nominated as deputy agriculture minister; arrestedMay 2010: Acquited of plot charges Profile: Zimbabwe's political farmer
"Having carefully considered the facts, I come to the conclusion that the state has failed to prove a prima facie case," said Judge Chinembiri Bhunu."Having carefully considered the facts, I come to the conclusion that the state has failed to prove a prima facie case," said Judge Chinembiri Bhunu.
"The accused is accordingly found not guilty.""The accused is accordingly found not guilty."
He said that the prosecutors' key evidence - an alleged confession from an arms dealer - was inadmissable. He said that the prosecutors' key evidence - an alleged confession from arms dealer Peter Hitschmann - was inadmissible.
He also said prosecutors had not proved that e-mails allegedly linking Mr Bennett to convicted arms dealer Peter Hitschmann were genuine. In earlier testimony to the court, Mr Hitschmann had said evidence he gave allegedly showing links to Mr Bennett had been extracted under torture.
Judge Bhunu also said prosecutors had not proved that e-mails allegedly linking Mr Bennett to Mr Hitschmann were genuine.
Mr Bennett's supporters, including the prime minister, had said the charges were politically motivated and aimed at undermining the coalition government.Mr Bennett's supporters, including the prime minister, had said the charges were politically motivated and aimed at undermining the coalition government.
A spokesman for the MDC has said the party will push for Mr Bennett to take up his ministerial position immediately.