Maravi

(NEWZIMBABWE) Bennett terrorism trial date set

Bennett terrorism trial date set
by
02/07/2009 00:00:00

ROY Bennett will stand trial in October on terrorism charges, his lawyer said on Wednesday. The case against Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's ministerial dominee has deepened divisions in the fragile unity government formed in February between President Robert Mugabe's Zanu PF party and the two Movement for Democratic Change formations to end a long-running political crisis and a decade of economic ruin.

Bennett, the treasurer-general of Tsvangirai's MDC, has been nominated as deputy agriculture minister and is among only a few remaining white founder members of the party.

The former coffee farmer was arrested in February, accused of plotting against the Mugabe government. He will go on trial in the eastern city of Mutare, charged with illegal possession of arms for purposes of terrorism and banditry.

He denies the charges but faces life in jail if convicted.
"They (prosecutors) have set October 13 as the trial date but they also relaxed his bail conditions. He will report to the police twice a month instead of once every week," Bennett's lawyer Trust Maanda said.

Tsvangirai has previously said Bennett will be sworn in as junior minister next month when five MDC officials are scheduled to take their positions as provincial governors as part of the political agreement between MDC and Zanu PF. - Reuters

Labels: COURTS, MDC, ROY BENNETT

posted by MrK @ 3:47 PM