Sierra Leone: 27 soldiers charged over failed coup attempt

Sierra Leone authorities have now charged 27 soldiers with multiple offences over last year’s alleged failed coup attempt.

The charges against them were read out in court and include mutiny, failure to suppress mutiny and murder.

A statement from the defence ministry said the soldiers have also been charged with aiding the enemy, communicating with the enemy and other relevant offences.

The statement said the Ministry of Defence and the army have “dishonourably discharged 48 other Military personel for subversive activities.”

Pre-trial proceedings against the 27 soldiers began in a court in the capital, Freetown, on Monday. The trial was adjourned to Wednesday.

The Min. of Defence & the Republic of #SierraLeone Armed Forces have commenced a Court Martial Pre-trial of 27 Military personel linked to the Nov. 26 2023 failed coup attempt & dishonourably discharged 48 other Military personel for subversive activities. #SaloneTwitter #SaloneX pic.twitter.com/L93ZnSspXm

— Ministry of Information and Civic Education MOICE (@MoiceComm) January 8, 2024

– — –

Sierra Leone’s ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma was also charged last week over the same incident.

He is facing four offences including treason for his alleged role in the incident which occurred last November.

Koroma’s charges, which also include misprision of treason and two counts of harbouring, were read out to him while he stood in the dock.

Twelve others were also charged with treason for the failed coup attempt that took place on November 26, 2023.

During the incident gunmen attacked a military barracks, a prison and other locations in the country.

They freed about 2,200 inmates and killed more than 20 people including 13 soldiers, according to the government.

Sierra Leone: Ex-president Koroma, 12 others charged over failed coup

Source: Africafeeds.com