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Zimbabwe 'treason case dropped' | Zimbabwe 'treason case dropped' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Charges of treason against Zimbabwean politician Roy Bennett have been dropped, and replaced with other allegations, his party says. | Charges of treason against Zimbabwean politician Roy Bennett have been dropped, and replaced with other allegations, his party says. |
The new charge is conspiring to acquire arms with a view to disrupting essential services, the MDC said. | The new charge is conspiring to acquire arms with a view to disrupting essential services, the MDC said. |
Mr Bennett, a deputy ministerial nominee, was arrested on Friday shortly before President Robert Mugabe swore in new ministers of the unity government. | Mr Bennett, a deputy ministerial nominee, was arrested on Friday shortly before President Robert Mugabe swore in new ministers of the unity government. |
His lawyer, Trust Maanda, said the treason case did not "hold water". | His lawyer, Trust Maanda, said the treason case did not "hold water". |
"The police must have realised that they had no leg to stand on," Mr Maanda told the AFP news agency. | "The police must have realised that they had no leg to stand on," Mr Maanda told the AFP news agency. |
But Mr Bennett remains in custody. | But Mr Bennett remains in custody. |
MDC supporters spent another night outside the police station in the eastern city of Mutare, where he is being held | |
"Bennett is currently being interviewed by the police. He is now appearing in court on Monday facing fresh charges," Mr Maanda said. | |
There was no confirmation from the police or justice officials that the charges had been changed. | There was no confirmation from the police or justice officials that the charges had been changed. |
Prison term | Prison term |
Mr Bennett is treasurer of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). | |
He had been picked by the party to be deputy agriculture minister in the new unity government. | He had been picked by the party to be deputy agriculture minister in the new unity government. |
Under a power-sharing deal agreed after months of talks following disputed elections, President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF is to have 15 posts and the two factions of the MDC 16 posts in the government. | Under a power-sharing deal agreed after months of talks following disputed elections, President Robert Mugabe's Zanu-PF is to have 15 posts and the two factions of the MDC 16 posts in the government. |
I should imagine if one gets to hell, that is what you experience Roy Bennett, after serving a prison term in Zimbabwe Profile: Roy Bennett | I should imagine if one gets to hell, that is what you experience Roy Bennett, after serving a prison term in Zimbabwe Profile: Roy Bennett |
The MDC has described Mr Bennett's detention as "scandalous" and "politically motivated", and called for him to be released unconditionally and unharmed. | |
A white farmer who lost his property under Mr Mugabe's land reform programme, Mr Bennett was imprisoned from October 2004 to June 2005. | A white farmer who lost his property under Mr Mugabe's land reform programme, Mr Bennett was imprisoned from October 2004 to June 2005. |
The sentence was imposed by other MPs after he pushed a minister during an argument in parliament over land reform. | The sentence was imposed by other MPs after he pushed a minister during an argument in parliament over land reform. |
He recently returned to Zimbabwe after more than two years in South Africa, where he fled after police sought his arrest in connection with an alleged plot to kill Mr Mugabe. | He recently returned to Zimbabwe after more than two years in South Africa, where he fled after police sought his arrest in connection with an alleged plot to kill Mr Mugabe. |
The latest charges would appear to be linked to this alleged plot, reports the BBC's southern Africa correspondent, Peter Biles. | |
On Saturday Mr Tsvangirai said Mr Bennett's arrest was undermining the spirit of the power-sharing agreement. | |
Mr Bennett is one of more than 30 MDC supporters and other activists who have been detained over the past couple of months. |