Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said on Wednesday the country's recent violence was a misguided attempt at a Ukrainian-style Orange Revolution and its leaders would be charged with treason, Reuters reported. "This is not your run-of-the-mill demonstration. This is an Orange Revolution gone wrong," Meles said, comparing Ethiopia's unrest with "people power" protests that ousted the pro-Moscow government in Ukraine last year. "The violence has marred the image of Ethiopia ... but as far as the process of democratisation is concerned I don't think it has had an impact on the country," he told reporters. "The CUD leaders are engaged in insurrection -- that is an act of treason under Ethiopian law. They will be charged and they will appear in court," Meles said, adding that several newspaper editors would also appear in the dock. "For us, these are not just journalists. They will not be charged for violating the press laws. They will charged, like the CUD leaders, for treason," he added. Meles said if found guilty, the court would decide whether the defendants would face the death penalty or serve a prison sentence.
