Twelve individuals in Sierra Leone have been charged with treason and other offenses related to their involvement in an alleged coup attempt on November 26, according to an official news release.
Among those charged is Amadu Koita, a former soldier and bodyguard of former President Ernest Bai Koroma, who was known for his criticism of the current government on social media platforms. Koita was arrested on December 4, along with 85 others, mostly military personnel, who were connected to the events of November 26.
The 12 accused individuals, including former police officers, face charges such as treason, misprision of treason, harbouring, aiding, and abetting the enemy.
Eleven of them appeared before a judge in Freetown, while one had their case postponed due to illness.
The violence that occurred during the alleged coup attempt resulted in 21 deaths and the escape of numerous prisoners. This incident raised concerns about the potential for further coups in West Africa, given recent occurrences in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea since 2020.
