VOA标准英语2010年-Witness in Zimbabwean Politician Case

A state witness in the trial of Zimbabwean politician Roy Bennett told the High Court in Harare that some of the weapons that were purportedly¹ found in his possession were not his.

Ish Mafundikwa | Harare 12 January 2010

Arms dealer² Mike Hitchman arrives at the High Court in Harare, Zimbabwe, 12 Jan 2010

A state witness in the trial of Zimbabwean politician Roy Bennett told the High Court in Harare that some of the weapons that were purportedly found in his possession were not his.

Weapons dealer Michael Peter Hitschmann took the stand on the resumption of the trial of Zimbabwe's deputy Agriculture Minister-designate Roy Bennett, who is facing charges of illegal possession of weapons for purposes of terrorism, banditry and insurgency³.  Hitschmann, the prosecution⁴'s star witness, has submitted an affidavit⁵ saying he did not want to testify against Bennett.

The prosecution alleges⁶ Hitschmann was paid by Bennett to buy weapons to assassinate⁷ government officials.

Hitschmann denied having written e-mails that were produced in court linking him to Bennett. Attorney General Johannes Tomana for the prosecution also made reference to statements Hitschmann made during his own trial for possessing weapons.  A policeman who gave evidence earlier admitted the statements were made under duress⁸.

Defense⁹ counsel Beatrice Mtetwa argued the statements had no bearing in the case against Bennett. Attorney General Tomana said Hitschmann might be impeached¹¹ for giving evidence that contradicts his statements. Trust Maanda, a member of the defense team, explains.

"The state was about to tell the court that he is departing from his initial statements therefore they wanted to as Mr. Tomana said impeach¹⁰ him, that is to have his evidence discredited," Maanda said.

The judge is expected to make a ruling on whether the statements are admissible when the trial resumes Wednesday.

Bennett's party says the charges are politically motivated. President Robert Mugabe has refused to swear him into office until he is cleared of the charges.

Hitschmann was acquitted¹² of terrorism charges in 2006 but was convicted of possessing dangerous weapons for which he served time.

1 purportedly   

adv.据称

参考例句：

• This is purportedly the oldest tree in the world. 据称这是世界上最古老的一棵树。 来自互联网
• Mayor Oh Se-Hoon launched the campaign last year, purportedly to improve efficiency. 据悉，首尔市市长吴世勋于去年提出了这项旨在提高工作效率的计划。 来自互联网

2 dealer   

n.商人，贩子

参考例句：

• The dealer spent hours bargaining for the painting.那个商人为购买那幅画花了几个小时讨价还价。
• The dealer reduced the price for cash down.这家商店对付现金的人减价优惠。

3 insurgency   

n.起义；暴动；叛变

参考例句：

• And as in China, unrest and even insurgency are widespread. 而在中国，动乱甚至暴乱都普遍存在。 来自互联网
• Dr Zyphur is part an insurgency against this idea. 塞弗博士是这一观点逆流的一部分。 来自互联网

4 prosecution   

n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营

参考例句：

• The Smiths brought a prosecution against the organizers.史密斯家对组织者们提出起诉。
• He attempts to rebut the assertion made by the prosecution witness.他试图反驳原告方证人所作的断言。

5 affidavit   

n.宣誓书

参考例句：

• I gave an affidavit to the judge about the accident I witnessed.我向法官提交了一份关于我目击的事故的证词。
• The affidavit was formally read to the court.书面证词正式向出席法庭的人宣读了。

6 alleges   

断言，宣称，辩解( allege的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The newspaper article alleges that the mayor is corrupt. 报纸上断言该市长腐败。
• Steven was tardy this morning and alleges that his bus was late. 史提芬今天早上迟到的说词是公车误点了。

7 assassinate   

vt.暗杀，行刺，中伤

参考例句：

• The police exposed a criminal plot to assassinate the president.警方侦破了一个行刺总统的阴谋。
• A plot to assassinate the banker has been uncovered by the police.暗杀银行家的密谋被警方侦破了。

8 duress   

n.胁迫

参考例句：

• He claimed that he signed the confession under duress.他说他是被迫在认罪书上签字的。
• These unequal treaties were made under duress.这些不平等条约是在强迫下签订的。

9 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

10 impeach   

v.弹劾；检举

参考例句：

• We must impeach the judge for taking bribes.我们一定要检举法官收受贿赂。
• The committee decided to impeach the President.委员会决定弹劾总统。

11 impeached   

v.控告（某人）犯罪( impeach的过去式和过去分词 )；弹劾；对（某事物）怀疑；提出异议

参考例句：

• Elected officials can be impeached. 经过选举产生的官员可以被弹劾。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The judge was impeached for taking a bribe. 这个法官被检举接受贿赂。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

12 acquitted   

宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现

参考例句：

• The jury acquitted him of murder. 陪审团裁决他谋杀罪不成立。
• Five months ago she was acquitted on a shoplifting charge. 五个月前她被宣判未犯入店行窃罪。