Mr Bennett is a senior member of Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC party.

The judge ruled that the prosecution failed to prove that its alleged link of Mr Bennett to a convicted arms dealer was 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.

‘Good triumphs’

Speaking outside the court in Harare, he said that he was happy to be acquitted and now had the time and strength to move on.

“Good has triumphed over evil,” he said.

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

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

ROY BENNETT
2000: Elected MP
2004: Jailed after pushing minister in parliament
2006: Accused of plot to kill President Mugabe
2006: Fled to South Africa
2009: Nominated as deputy agriculture minister; arrested
May 2010: Acquitted of plot charges

Profile: Zimbabwe’s political farmer

“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 arms dealer Peter Hitschmann – was inadmissible.

In earlier testimony to the court, Mr Hitschmann had said evidence he gave allegedly showing links to Mr Bennett had been extracted under torture.

Judge Bhunu also said prosecutors had not proved that e-mails allegedly linking Mr Bennett to Mr 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.