A Zimbabwean court has acquitted a leading politician, Roy Bennett, on charges of plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe.

Mr Bennett is an aide to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.

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

The case had threatened to split the country's unity government of long-term rivals Mr Mugabe and Mr Tsvangirai.

Mr Bennett was already free on bail.

The white farmer is a leading member of Mr Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

He was to have taken a position as deputy minister for agriculture in the government when he was arrested in February 2009.

"Having carefully considered the facts, I come to the conclusion that the state has failed to prove a prima facie case," said Judge Chinembiri Bhunu.

"The accused is accordingly found not guilty."

He said that the prosecutors' key evidence - an alleged confession from an arms dealer - was inadmissable.

He also said prosecutors had not proved that e-mails allegedly linking Mr Bennett to convicted arms dealer Peter Hitschmann were genuine.

Mr Bennett's supporters, including the prime minister, had said the charges were politically motivated and aimed at undermining the coalition government.

By BBC