Tsvangirai now faces two charges of treason

He appeared in court dressed in leg irons and handcuffs dressed in khaki prison clothes.

Morgan Tsvangirai was brought in through the back entrance of Harare's high court in leg irons and handcuffs dressed in a prison uniform and heavily guarded by police.

Riot police are stationed around the outside of the court.

When he entered the court the entire public gallery stood up in silence, solemn-faced in support of him.

Mr Tsvangirai, apparently in good humour, broke the tension, asking his supporters to stop looking as if they were at a funeral.

Tsvangirai says the election was stolen by Mugabe

Second treason charge

He is in court to appeal for bail after a magistrate's court ruled yesterday that he be detained until next month on a new treason charge.

Mr Tsvangirai has been accused of trying to bring about the overthrow of President Robert Mugabe by calling for nationwide protests last week.

The punishment for being convicted of treason is death.

This is Mr Tsvangirai's second treason charge.

Separately he has been accused of treason for allegedly trying to organise the assassination of President Mugabe.

Mr Tsvangirai frequently appears in court but in the past he has always been let out on bail.

This is the first time in many years that he has been detained for several days.