Ethiopia's federal police said Thursday they have released 2,417 of the detainees who were arrested for alleged involvement in last week's street violence.

They said in a statement that the detainees were set free as they were not found to be "direct actors" in the violence.

The statement said some 1,779 detainees were released from the Addis Ababa prison in three rounds, adding that 285 detainees from the southern Zeway prison and 353 detainees from the western Dedesa prison were also released.

In the statement, the federal police said they has been exerting utmost efforts to swiftly finalize its investigation and bring the remaining suspects to justice, urging the public to pursue in its collaboration with police in supplying evidences.

In Addis Ababa and some other cities last week, clashes between police and supporters of the largest opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) left at least 46 people dead and thousands arrested.

Among the detainees are some opposition leaders, including CUD chairman Hailu Shawel and vice chairman Berhanu Nega.

On Wednesday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said the opposition leaders will face treason charges for their roles in last week's street violence.

Source: Xinhua