About 30 people, most of them soldiers, have been sent to jail in Benin over their alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt earlier this month, legal sources have said.
According to the sources, the suspects were remanded in custody on Tuesday after appearing before a special prosecutor at the Court for Economic Crimes and Terrorism in Cotonou.
The arrests followed an attempted coup on December 7, when some soldiers appeared on state television claiming that President Patrice Talon had been removed from office.
The coup bid was, however, quickly crushed by forces loyal to the government, with support from the Nigerian Air Force and French special forces.
Several people were reportedly killed during the incident, while the alleged leader of the coup, Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, and some other mutinous soldiers are still at large.
Legal sources said the suspects were first questioned on Monday and were placed in pre-trial detention on Tuesday after the conclusion of their hearing.
They are facing charges including “treason”, “murder” and “endangering state security”.
An AFP journalist reported that security was heavily reinforced around the court premises during the proceedings.
In a related development, Chabi Yayi, the son of former Beninese president and opposition figure Thomas Boni Yayi, was released on Monday after being questioned over the coup attempt.
However, sources said he is still being prosecuted in connection with the case, although the specific reasons remain unclear. Chabi Yayi is a member of the opposition party led by his father.
President Talon, who has been praised by supporters for driving economic growth, has also faced criticism from opponents who accuse him of running an authoritarian government.
He is expected to step down in April after completing the constitutionally allowed two terms in office.
The failed coup comes at a time when Benin has been grappling with jihadist attacks in its northern regions, raising fresh concerns about security and political stability in the West African country.
