Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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February 6, 2009

Zimbabwe Judge Releases Opposition Leader
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=221D3EF:A6F02AD83191E1600194A137DB0C7AF00531BB26A5003E7B&
 
Magistrate says prosecution unprepared to proceed with case against
Tendai Biti 
Tendai Biti holds press conference in Johannesburg, 20 Apr 2008A judge
in Zimbabwe has freed a leading opposition leader facing treason charges
- a capital crime - saying there were procedural problems with the case.
Magistrate Olivia Mariga said it appeared the prosecution was unprepared
to proceed with the case against Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
Secretary-General Tendai Biti. She also found there were technical
problems with Biti's arrest. The opposition has denied allegations that
Biti was organizing a coup and says the case is a political act
organized by President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party. Commentators say
Biti's release removes a major hurdle to implementing a unity
government, which is been the subject of months of negotiations. Last
week, MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai agreed to join a unity government
with Mr. Mugabe. Biti, who is expected to be offered a cabinet post in
the unity government, said he was happy to be free and looking forward
to entering government. Some information for this report was provided by
AFP and AP


.