Scores of people indicted in Seirra Leone over failed military coup attempt

Twelve persons have been indicted in Sierra Leone for their alleged involvement in the failed coup attempt in November.

In November last year, gunmen broke into a military armoury and several prisons in capital city Freetown, freeing almost 2,000 inmates.

No fewer than 19 people, including 13 soldiers, died in the attack, which was described as a failed attempt to carry out a military coup.

Following investigations into the coup plots, former police and prison officers, as well as ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma’s bodyguard were charged in the attempt to topple a democratically elected government.

Mr. Koroma, who is also a suspect in the coup attempt, has been placed under house arrest since last month, after he was questioned by authorities.

Information Minister Chernor Bah said in a statement that the suspects are facing charges, including treason, concealing treason and “harbouring, aiding and abetting the enemy.”

He stressed that other suspects “are expected to be charged in the coming days”, he added.

The West African region has been facing repeated coups and attempted coup plots.

Until now, eight countries in West and Central Africa are under military rule following a series of coups, including in neighbouring Guinea.