A High Court judge in Zimbabwe has ordered police to immediately release 32 activists, including former Zimbabwean newscaster Jestina Mukoko.
A prominent human rights activist, Ms Mukoko appeared in court in Harare on Christmas Eve charged with plotting to overthrow President Robert Mugabe's government.
She had been missing for three weeks after she was abducted from her home by armed men.
Police had denied having anything to do with her abduction earlier this month.
Nine other opposition activists were also charged on Christmas Eve with plotting to overthrow Mr Mugabe's government.
Ms Mukoko, the head of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, was taken away at gunpoint in Harare on 3 December by unidentified men.
If found guilty the activists could face the death penalty, lawyers said.
Recent arrests of activists prompted opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai to threaten to suspend deadlocked talks with Mr Mugabe on sharing power, adding to doubts over chances for a deal that could rescue Zimbabwe from economic meltdown.
The state-run Herald newspaper said they would be charged with recruiting or attempting to recruit people to undergo military training to topple the government.
The opposition says scores of activists continue to be abducted by authorities since the run-up to a violent June presidential election.
Ms Mukoko's case is the most high-profile.
Some of the activists had recruited people for military training in Botswana, including a police constable, the newspaper said, citing a police statement.
It said the plan was to 'forcibly depose' Mr Mugabe's government and replace it with one headed by Mr Tsvangirai.
