Two more opposition officials are charged with treason in Zimbabwe over an alleged plot to assassinate President Robert Mugabe, heightening tensions ahead of presidential elections next month.

A spokesman for the opposition Movement for Democratic Change says police charged the party's secretary general, Welshman Ncube, and a member of parliament, Renson Gasela, after summoning them for questioning.

Morgan Tsvangirai

On Monday, police filed similar charges against opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai for allegedly conspiring with a Canadian-based political consulting group to assassinate President Mugabe.

Mr. Tsvangirai has denied the allegation, saying it is aimed at preventing him from challenging Mr. Mugabe in the March 9-10 presidential election. The three opposition officials were released from custody after being charged.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tsvangirai told reporters that persecution and harassment of opposition supporters continues through what he called state sponsored violence. However, he said international election observers have helped defuse some potentially dangerous situations.

The United States, Britain and other nations have denounced the treason charges against Mr. Tsvangirai. Australia Tuesday threatened to impose sanctions against Zimbabwe if the opposition leader is not allowed to compete in the presidential poll.

Mr. Mugabe has been widely criticized for policies seen as stifling the political opposition and civil liberties ahead of the election.

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