Biti charged with role in post-election violence

HARARE (Reuters) – Zimbabwe’s former finance minister and opposition leader Tendai Biti appeared in court on Thursday facing charges over his role in violence linked to last week’s post-election protests.

Biti had sought asylum in neighboring Zambia on Wednesday but his bid was rejected and he was deported back to Zimbabwe where he was taken into police custody.

Biti was also charged with falsely and unlawfully announcing results of the election. State prosecutors did not oppose bail.