Magistrate throws out Biti treason charges

Magistrate throws out Biti treason charges

FREE AT LAST: Biti was arrested on June 12 last year and charged with treason for announcing "election results" before the ZEC had done so

• Tendai Biti freed on bail

• Magistrate orders probe into Biti abuse

• Power cut forces postponement of Biti hearing

• Judge says Biti detention lawful

• Police comd Biti's home, seek further detention

• Biti brought to court in leg irons

• Biti charged with treason

• Tendai Biti arrested on return to Zimbabwe

Posted to the web: 06/02/2009 10:26:11
A MAGISTRATE has ended the treason trial of MDC secretary general, Tendai Biti, saying prosecutors appear unprepared to proceed.

Magistrate Olivia Mariga also ruled Friday that Biti had been improperly arrested.

A day earlier, a prosecutor had said they would be ready for trial on May 4 -- giving the magistrate enough space to throw out the charges in what could be a politically engineered move.

On Thursday, Zimbabwe’s parliament passed a constitutional amendment opening the way for the unity government. A cabinet expected to include Biti is to be sworn in next week.

Biti told reporters after the ruling he was happy to be free, and looking forward to entering government.

Biti was accused of announcing the results of a disputed presidential election in March before the electoral body made them public and of authoring a document believed to plot Mugabe's overthrow by rigging the polls.

He had publicly maintained his innocence.
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