Zimbabwe charges 46 with anti-Mugabe treason plot

(Reuters) - Zimbabwe on Wednesday filed treason charges against dozens of political activists accused of plotting anti-government protests similar to those that toppled leaders in Egypt and Tunisia.

Police said they arrested 46 people in Harare on Saturday as they watched videos of protests in the north African countries and discussed possible demonstrations in Zimbabwe where President Robert Mugabe, 87, has held power for 31 years.

"They were charged with treason, and we will be coming back to court tomorrow for a bail application," defense lawyer Alec Muchadehama told Reuters.

The charge carries a possible death sentence. Muchadehama said the accused would plead not guilty when the case goes to trial. No date has been fixed yet.

Defense lawyers have said the accused were in an academic debate on African politics when police arrested them.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/23/us-zimbabwe-protests-idUSTRE71M4M520110223

a real service if Mugabe happened to walk in front of his car when it didn't have any brakes.