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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 a senior member of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC party. | |
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. |
'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 arms dealer Peter Hitschmann - was inadmissible. | |
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. |