Zimbabwe court postpones opposition official's case

HARARE (Reuters) - The court case against top Zimbabwean opposition official Tendai Biti was postponed until Thursday, a magistrate said on Wednesday.

"I am remanding you in custody," Magistrate Mishrod Guvamombe said, after ordering that Biti's leg irons be removed. Prosecutors and the defence had agreed to the postponement.

Biti is facing a treason charge that could carry a death sentence, and has been held in custody since his arrest last Thursday.

Defence lawyers told reporters after the hearing they would apply for all charges against the Movement for Democratic Change secretary-general to be dropped.

MDC leader Morgan Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe compete in a presidential election run-off on June 27.

(Reporting by Gordon Bell; Editing by Matthew Tostevin)