Mugabe opponent questioned by police

Morgan Tsvangirai slipped home undetected

Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has been released after questioning by police - the day after he avoided arrest on his return from South Africa.

Mr Tsvangirai, leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), went to the central police station in the capital Harare after a request from the police and was released shortly afterwards.

What we would like to tell Mugabe is please go peacefully - if you don't want to go peacefully, we will remove you violently

Morgan Tsvangirai's controversial words

The government called for Mr Tsvangirai's arrest on suspicion of treason after he told a rally that President Mugabe could be removed from office by violent means.

Three MDC MPs who were arrested at the weekend after allegedly calling for Mr Mugabe's overthrow have been freed without charge.

Their lawyer said a regional magistrate determined they had no case to answer.

An MDC youth leader arrested on similar charges on Monday was also released.

Mr Tsvangirai appealed for calm on Monday outside his house after slipping into the country and evading the waiting police.

He said he had not wanted to heighten tension by making a high-profile return.

Unworried

He told his supporters to remain calm saying Zimbabwe did not need any further anarchy.

Mr Mugabe: Urged to go peacefully

Mr Tsvangirai said he was not worried by the threat of arrest and had no intention of leaving the country.

He repeated his warning to President Mugabe that he might face the anger of the Zimbabwean people and referred to the political demise of former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic.

Treason

Mr Tsvangirai told a rally last week: "What we would like to tell Mugabe today is: Please go peacefully. If you don't want to go peacefully, we will remove you violently".

"The country cannot afford Mugabe a day longer than necessary," he said.

The government has indicated it considers the remarks treasonous.

The maximum penalty for treason in Zimbabwe is the death penalty.

The MDC has warned the government not to carry out the arrest of Mr Tsvangirai, saying such an arrest would be unjustified, unwise and likely to provoke unnecessary conflict.