Zimbabwean court orders MDC official back to prison

A Zimbabwe court has ordered the prison detention of Roy Bennett, a senior official in Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC party, and ruled that he should stand trial on terrorism charges.

The move is likely to renew tensions between Mr Tsvangirai and President Robert Mugabe, old foes who set up a power-sharing government in February after disputed elections in 2008.

One of the few senior white MDC officials, Mr Bennett is accused of illegally possessing arms for purposes of committing acts of terrorism and banditry.

The MDC accuses Mr Mugabe's Zanu PF party of coming up with politically motivated charges. Mr Tsvangirai has said these arrests and detentions could threaten the power-sharing government.

Mr Bennett appeared in court looking tense. He was taken away by prison guards immediately after the ruling.