Judge acquits Roy Bennett, aide to Zimbabwe prime minister, in case that strained coalition

Judge acquits top aide to Zimbabwe prime minister

HARARE, Zimbabwe — A Zimbabwean judge has acquitted a top prime minister’s aide of all charges in a terrorism case that had strained the country’s coalition government.

The judge ruled Monday that prosecutors had failed to prove that e-mails allegedly linking Roy Bennett to an arms dealer were genuine.

The case against Bennett had stemmed from allegations of a plot to topple longtime President Robert Mugabe.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has said the charges were baseless and part of efforts by Mugabe loyalists to undermine Zimbabwe’s coalition government.

Leaders of Mugabe’s party had said it was up to a judge to determine the merits of the case.