RSS 2.0 FeedSeptember 2009 Vol 11, National News
US Blasts Prosecution of Zimbabwe Legislator
The State Department Thursday called the terrorism prosecution against Zimbabwean parliament member Roy Bennett a "blatant example" of the absence of rule of law in the African country.
The State Department Thursday called the terrorism prosecution against Zimbabwean parliament member Roy Bennett a "blatant example" of the absence of rule of law in the African country. U.S. officials are ruling out the provision of anything other than humanitarian aid to the Harare government until President Robert Mugabe accepts meaningful reform.
The Obama administration is condemning the legal action against Roy Bennett in unusually sharp terms and making clear it will not follow Britain's lead in extending new aid to the power-sharing government led by Mr. Mugabe.
Bennett, a founding member and treasurer of the Movement for Democratic Change, the former opposition party that joined Mr. Mugabe in a unity government early this year, was jailed Wednesday and ordered to stand trial on long-pending charges of possessing weapons for terrorism and acts of insurgency.
The MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangerai maintains Bennett's innocence and calls his jailing a deliberate provocation by Mr. Mugabe's ZANU-PF party loyalists.
At a news briefing, State Department Deputy spokesman Robert Wood said the United States also believes the prosecution of Bennett is without merit.
"This particular case with regard to Roy Bennett is frankly a blatant example of the absence of the rule of law in Zimbabwe," said Wood. "Frankly, it's a transparent attempt to prevent Bennett from taking up his position as deputy secretary for agriculture. The prosecution has never, as far as I know, presented any credible evidence against him. He's complied with all of the court's requirements. So Mugabe needs to end his harassment of the opposition, including Mr. Bennett," he said.
US State Dept. Deputy Spokesman, Robert Wood (File)
