Ethiopia's federal police said Sunday they have released 1,721 detainees who were arrested for alleged involvement in last week's street violence.

The police said in a statement that it was decided that "those suspects who did not involve directly in the violence be released after due process of investigation."

According to the police statement, 1,672 of those at the western Dedesa military camp and 49 of those in detention at the Addis Ababa central prison have been released.

The latest release brings to 4,138 those freed from jail in recent days after clashes between police and opposition supporters over the disputed May 15 parliamentary election.

It said efforts were being exerted to bring the others to the court of law by finalizing investigations in the period granted by the court.

It called on the public to enhance their cooperation with the police in their on-going endeavors of filing 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, in which at least 46 people were killed.

Source: Xinhua