According to legal sources who spoke to AFP, about thirty people—the majority of whom were soldiers—were imprisoned in Benin on Tuesday for allegedly having ties to a coup attempt that was foiled earlier this month.
The defendants were put in pre-trial detention the day after their appearance before a special prosecutor at the Cotonou court for economic crimes and terrorism on Monday.
Following an attempted putsch on December 7, when a group of soldiers went on national television to declare President Patrice Talon had been overthrown, the arrests were made.
With assistance from the Nigerian Air Force and French special forces, loyalist army units swiftly overthrew the attempted invasion.
Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, the accused coup leader, and other mutinous soldiers are still at large after many individuals were slain during the disturbance.
According to the legal authorities, the suspects are being prosecuted on allegations of “treason,” “murder,” and “endangering state security.”
According to an AFP correspondent, there was a noticeable high level of security surrounding the Cotonou court.
Separately, Chabi Yayi, the son of opposition leader and former Beninese president Thomas Boni Yayi, was freed on Monday following interrogation on the coup attempt.
Chabi Yayi, a member of his father’s opposition party, is still being prosecuted, though it was not made clear why.
Opponents accuse President Talon of having authoritarian inclinations in a nation formerly praised for its democratic dynamism, despite the fact that he has been credited with boosting economic growth in Benin.
After serving a maximum of two terms as president, he is scheduled to relinquish power in April.
Benin’s security issues have been made worse in recent years by terrorist activity in the country’s northern regions.
