Zimbabwe guns evidence against Roy Bennett rejected from the BBC

A Zimbabwean judge has dismissed key prosecution evidence in the trial of politician Roy Bennett - a case that threatens the unity government.

The judge said the testimony of arms dealer Peter Hitschmann was invalid, after the witness said he had been tortured into implicating Mr Bennett.

The state said Hitschmann had stashed guns for Mr Bennett - accused of a plot to kill President Robert Mugabe.

Mr Bennett, an ally of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, denies the charges.

Mr Bennett, treasurer for Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), was due to be installed as a deputy minister when he was arrested last February.

ROY BENNETT

2000: Elected MP

2004: Jailed after pushing minister in parliament

2006: Accused of plot to kill President Mugabe

2006: Fled to South Africa

2009: Nominated as deputy agriculture minister; arrested

His lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, has described the case as political persecution.

Mr Bennett denies all the charges against him, which include terrorism, insurgency, sabotage, banditry and a plot to kill President Robert Mugabe and overthrow his government.

Hitschmann was initially implicated in the same alleged plot that Mr Bennett is being tried for, but was eventually convicted on lesser charges of possessing illegal weapons.

Judge Chinembiri Bhunu said Hitschmann's confessions had been ruled inadmissible in his own trial in 2006 - and were therefore still inadmissible.

"The witness gave evidence... with the greatest reluctance," Reuters news agency quoted the judge as saying.

"His demeanour is that of a deeply aggrieved citizen with a gripe against the state."