His lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, has described the case as political persecution.

Mr Bennett denies all the charges against him, which include terrorism, insurgency, sabotage, banditry and a plot to kill President Robert Mugabe and overthrow his government.

Hitschmann was initially implicated in the same alleged plot that Mr Bennett is being tried for, but was eventually convicted on lesser charges of possessing illegal weapons.

Judge Chinembiri Bhunu said Hitschmann's confessions had been ruled inadmissible in his own trial in 2006 - and were therefore still inadmissible.

"The witness gave evidence... with the greatest reluctance," Reuters news agency quoted the judge as saying.