Zimbabwe's Bennett released from jail

HARARE, Zimbabwe, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Zimbabwe opposition politician Roy Bennett has been released from jail, his attorney says.

Trust Maanda says Bennett, a leader in the Movement for Democratic Change Party jailed on charges of possessing weapons for sabotage, banditry and terrorism, was released Friday pending trial, CNN reported.

Maanda told the U.S. broadcaster that Bennett faces trial on Monday, but indicated he would ask for a postponement.

Bennett's jailing had brought an angry response from fellow MDC member Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, who said that he and MDC ministers would boycott meetings of President Robert Mugabe's Cabinet. CNN quoted Tsvangirai saying, "This is a constitutional crisis. ZANU-PF (Mugabe's party) cannot run government alone constitutionally and legally."

But the prime minister said the MDC would not pull out of the government because "the people of Zimbabwe want real change and that is our obligation. If that time to pull out comes, it will be that time, not now."