The trial of Movement for Democratic Change leader Morgan Tsvangirai's top aid, Roy Bennett, is due to kick-off at the Harare High Court on Monday.

Bennett is being tried on highly controversial weapons and banditry charges and faces the death sentence if convicted.

He is accused of masterminding a plot against President Robert Mugabe's regime three years ago.

The MDC said the charges were politically motivated.

One of the state's chief witnesses said he only implicated Bennett because he was tortured into signing a statement.

Attorney General Johannes Tomana is prosecuting in a sign of how seriously Zanu-PF views the case.

Bennett's indictment and imprisonment last month triggered the MDC's partial pullout of government.

The trial is likely to put more strain on relations between the MDC and Zanu-PF.