Benin has jailed around 30 people, mostly soldiers, accused of links to a thwarted coup attempt earlier this month.
The soldiers appeared on national television on December 7 to announce President Patrice Talon’s deposition, but the attempted putsch was swiftly defeated by loyalist army forces with the help of the Nigerian air force and French special forces.
The accused, who are being prosecuted for “treason”, “murder”, and “endangering state security”, were placed in pre-trial detention after appearing before a special prosecutor in Cotonou.
The alleged coup leader, Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, and other mutinous soldiers remain on the run.
Chabi Yayi, son of former Beninese president Thomas Boni Yayi, was released after being questioned but remains under prosecution.
The former defence minister, Candide Azannai, was also arrested, and an international arrest warrant has been issued against Pan-Africanist influencer Kemi Seba for backing the coup.
