By Jane Mlambo| Harare magistrate Chido Garwe has issued a warrant of arrest against former Finance Minister Tendai Biti after he failed to appear in court for trial.

Biti is facing allegations of assaulting a Russian national and Pokugara Properties Chief Operations Officer, Tatiana Aleshina outside the Harare Magistrates Court.

His lawyer Aleck Muchadehama was not present in court to represent his client.

This led senior prosecutor Michael Reza to apply for a warrant of arrest.

Aleshina claims that on November 30 last year as she was about to leave the court gallery after a court session, Biti allegedly threatened to harm her.

She said the MDC Alliance vice president insulted and assaulted her outside the courtroom but within the complex premises.