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Zimbabwe opposition cabinet nominee freed on bail

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] Zimbabwean authorities on Thursday released jailed Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) party treasurer general and opposition cabinet member-designate Roy Bennett, one day after the nation's Supreme Court denied a state appeal to keep him in prison. Bennett, a top aide to MDC head Morgan Tsvangirai, faces charges under Zimbabwe's Public Order and Security Act for "attempting to commit terrorism, banditry and sabotage." Under the terms of his bail, Bennett had to pay USD $5,000 and surrender his passport, and he must report to police three times a week. Last week, the High Court rejected a state appeal seeking to deny Bennett bail, finding that the conditions of Bennett's release, set last month, were adequate. The attorney general's office then appealed that ruling to the Supreme Court. Bennett, who was arrested last month shortly before he was scheduled to be sworn as deputy agriculture minister in the new power-sharing coalition government led by Tsvangirai, is accused of funding the purchase of fire arms and explosives intended to be used as part of an insurgency. It is feared that Bennett's arrest could pose a threat to the power-sharing agreement between the MDC and the African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) party of President Robert Mugabe. Bennett was originally sought for questioning in relation to the allegations in 2006, but he had been seeking asylum in South Africa until recently. Treason charges against him were dropped in favor of the terrorism and other charges.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on March 12, 2009 (boomark / email).