But Mengistu is a close friend of President Robert Mugabe, holds a Zimbabwean diplomatic passport and lives in a heavily-guarded mansion in the capital, Harare.
Also on trial were a mother and daughter who serve as Suu Kyi's companions in her heavily guarded residence -- and are members of the National League for Democracy.
This will be structured along similar lines to the counter-narcotics outfit, with heavily guarded judges who it is hoped will be immune to intimidation.
The court also heard Wednesday from the two housekeepers who are Suu Kyi's sole companions in the heavily guarded residence and are her co-defendants at the trial.