The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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A court in Sierra Leone has formally accused 27 soldiers of various charges related to an alleged coup attempt. The charges encompass offenses such as mutiny, failure to suppress mutiny, murder, aiding the enemy, communicating with the enemy, and other relevant crimes, as stated by the defense ministry.
In November of the previous year, a group of gunmen raided a military armory and multiple prisons in Freetown, resulting in the release of nearly 2,000 inmates. Authorities characterized this incident as a bid to “overthrow” the government.
In a related development, former President Ernest Bai Koroma was charged with treason last week in connection with the same event. He vehemently denied any involvement in the events that led to the deaths of approximately 20 people.
Legal proceedings are also underway against one of Mr. Koroma’s former presidential bodyguards, along with 11 former police and correctional officers, facing charges of treason, concealing treason, and “harboring, aiding, and abetting the enemy.”
The pre-trial hearings for the 27 soldiers commenced in Freetown on Monday, with the trial adjourned until Wednesday. The November violence occurred five months after an election that secured President Julius Maada Bio’s reelection for a second term. The opposition rejected the election results, and international observers criticized the process for its perceived lack of transparency.
