Zimbabwe withdraws challenge to Tsvangirai acquittal

Zimbabwe withdraws challenge to Tsvangirai acquittal

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By Staff Reporter

ZIMBABWE'S government has withdrawn its challenge to opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai's acquittal on treason charges, according to court documents made available on Tuesday.

Zimbabwe's High Court acquitted the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader in October of charges he plotted to assassinate President Robert Mugabe and seize power ahead of the 2002 presidential elections.

Mugabe's government challenged the decision -- which it said had let a guilty man walk free -- but last week quietly decided to drop the appeal.

The MDC is due this week to announce whether it will contest parliamentary elections expected in March, a barometer of democratic progress in a country where MDC leaders have accused Mugabe's government of mounting a political crackdown.

Tsvangirai's attorney, Innocent Chagonda, said he had received notice of the legal filing on Tuesday. The filing, a copy of which was also seen by Reuters, did not state the government's reason for dropping the court case.

Tsvangirai's treason charge could have brought a death penalty on conviction.

The state case rested on a secretly taped video in which prosecutors said Tsvangirai discussed Mugabe's "elimination."

Tsvangirai said he had merely discussed suggestions Mugabe might accept a retirement plan before the 2002 poll, which the veteran leader went on to win amid charges of rigging from the MDC and some Western nations.

Tsvangirai still faces second treason charges linked to anti-Mugabe protests organized by the MDC in 2003. His next court appearance in that case is scheduled for May.

Mugabe has dismissed the MDC as a puppet of Britain and says this year's parliamentary elections will bury the 5-year-old opposition party - Reuters
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