The Benin Republic government has ordered the detention of at least 30 individuals—most of them military personnel—over their alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt earlier this month.
SNOW TV NEWS reports that on December 7, a group of soldiers appeared on national television claiming that President Patrice Talon had been overthrown.
The coup attempt was, however, quickly crushed by loyalist troops, with support from the Nigerian Air Force and French special forces.
Several fatalities were recorded during the incident, while the alleged ringleader, Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, along with other mutineers, remains at large.
On Monday, no fewer than 30 suspects were arraigned before a special prosecutor at the Court for Economic Crimes and Terrorism in Cotonou. Following their hearings, they were placed in pre-trial detention the next day.
The suspects are facing charges including treason, murder, and threats to state security.
Meanwhile, Chabi Yayi—the son of former Beninese president and opposition leader Thomas Boni Yayi—who was earlier arrested in connection with the plot, was released on Monday after questioning. Despite his release, he remains under investigation for undisclosed reasons.
Chabi Yayi is alleged to be a member of the opposition party led by his father.
President Talon has faced criticism from opponents who accuse him of authoritarian tendencies in a country once widely regarded as a model of democratic progress.
0 Comments