Authorities in Benin have sent about 30 people, most of them soldiers to jail following their alleged involvement in a failed coup attempt earlier this month, according to legal sources.
The move comes after dramatic scenes on December 7, when a group of soldiers appeared on state television claiming President Patrice Talon had been overthrown. The attempted takeover was quickly crushed by forces loyal to the government, reportedly with support from the Nigerian air force and French special forces.
The unrest left several people dead, while the alleged mastermind of the plot, Lieutenant-Colonel Pascal Tigri, along with other rebel soldiers, remains at large.
Legal sources said the suspects appeared on Monday before a special prosecutor at the court for economic crimes and terrorism in Cotonou. Following their hearings, they were placed in pre-trial detention on Tuesday.
The accused are facing serious charges, including treason, murder, and threatening state security. An AFP journalist reported seeing heavy security presence around the court during the proceedings.
In a related development, Chabi Yayi, the son of former Beninese president and current opposition leader Thomas Boni Yayi, was released on Monday after questioning. However, he is still being prosecuted in connection with the alleged coup attempt, though the specific reasons remain unclear. Chabi Yayi is a member of the opposition party led by his father.
President Talon, while credited by supporters for driving economic growth, has faced criticism from opponents who accuse him of authoritarian tendencies. Benin was once widely regarded as a model of democratic stability in West Africa.
Talon is expected to step down in April after completing the constitutionally allowed two terms in office. In recent years, the country has also struggled with growing jihadist violence in its northern regions.
